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Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into bat-filled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks – relax and enjoy the ride of Costa Rica.

Best Time to Visit

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Teatro Nacional

On the southern side of the Plaza de la Cultura resides the Teatro Nacional, San José’s most revered building. Constructed in 1897, it features a columned…

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Central Valley & Highlands

This polished storybook garden complex just east of Volcán Poás offers the most easily digestible cultural experience in the Central Valley and is the…

Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around

Featuring lush jungle, picture-perfect beaches and craggy headlands, this tiny park (1680 acres/680 hectares) absolutely brims with wildlife (and often…

Playa Negra

At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is…

Southern Caribbean

Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it…

Parque Nacional Isla del Coco

Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

Around 500km southwest of the Costa Rica mainland, Isla del Coco is a natural wonder that teems with wildlife, including the largest schools of hammerhead…

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

From 1968 until 2010, Volcán Arenal was an ever-active and awe-striking natural wonder, producing menacing ash columns, massive explosions and streams of…

Wilson Botanical Garden

The world-class Wilson Botanical Garden is internationally known for its collection of more than 2000 native Costa Rican species. Species threatened with…

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The 16 best things to do in costa rica.

Montezuma Waterfalls

A 40-minute river hike leads to a waterfall with a delicious swimming hole. Further along, a second set of falls offers a good 12m leap into deep water…

Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste

Península de Nicoya

Las Baulas national marine park encompasses the entire beach at Playa Grande, as well as the adjacent land and 220 sq km of ocean. This is one of the…

Parque Nacional Tortuguero

Caribbean Coast

This misty, green coastal park sits on a broad floodplain parted by a jigsaw of canals. Referred to as the ‘mini-Amazon,’ Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a…

Museo del Jade

This museum houses the world’s largest collection of American jade (pronounced ‘ha-day’ in Spanish), with an ample exhibition space of five floors…

Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja

Northwestern Costa Rica

Given its proximity to Liberia, this park (about 160 sq km) feels surprisingly uncrowded and remote. Named after the steamy main attraction – the active…

Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio

The park's heavenly blue river, waterfalls and lagoons are among the most spectacular natural phenomena in Costa Rica; as a result, the park is known to…

Playa Ventanas

Tucked behind a grove of coco palms, this crescent-shaped, black-sand-and-pebble beach has elaborate rock formations at either end, and is called …

Playa Cocolito

Here's your chance to see a waterfall crashing down a cliff, straight onto the rocks and into the ocean. El Chorro Waterfall is the pièce de résistance of…

Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro

Arenal & Northern Lowlands

This remote, 102-sq-km refuge has long lured anglers seeking that elusive 18kg snook, and birders hoping to glimpse rare waterfowl. During the dry season…

Maquenque Eco-Lodge

Set on 80 glorious bird-filled hectares, 20 unique bungalows (including five gobsmacking tree houses) overlook a lagoon and tropical garden; additional…

Parque Nacional Carara

Central Pacific Coast

Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Rica’s most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a…

Parque Nacional Los Quetzales

The Road to Chirripó

Spread along both banks of the Río Savegre, Parque Nacional Los Quetzales covers 50 sq km of rainforest, cloud forest and premontane forest lying along…

Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional

This 85 sq km coastal refuge extends from Punta India in the north to Playa Guiones in the south, and includes the beaches of Nosara and Ostional. It was…

Pacuare Lodge

There are two ways into this dream of an ecolodge, both equally adventurous. Most arrive at its remote location on the Río Pacuare by raft, via a…

Parque Nacional Volcán Poás

Here's your chance to get frighteningly close to this extremely active volcano, which last erupted in 2017. At an elevation of 2708m, the mighty Poás is…

Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde

Monteverde & Around

This beautiful cloud forest reserve came into being in 1972, when the Quaker community (which had already set aside a third of its property for…

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Costa Rica and beyond

Maddy's Avenue

By: Maddy Cornelius · Last Updated: March 18, 2024

Best Costa Rica Itinerary: 1 Week, 2 Weeks, 1 Month

Looking for the best Costa Rica itinerary? You’ve just found it.

After traveling and living in Costa Rica for many months – and visiting the country’s best destinations – I’ve put together this guide to help you plan the Costa Rica trip of your dreams.

From pristine beaches , lush jungles , and secluded surf spots , to towering volcanoes , abundant fauna , cool cloud forests , and breathtaking waterfalls – this Costa Rica itinerary is packed with the very best of Costa Rica.

Whether you have 1 week in Costa Rica , 2 weeks in Costa Rica , or even longer (lucky you!), this Costa Rica itinerary will help you plan your trip, based on your interests and budget.

I’ve included the best things to do in each of the destinations I suggest, how to get from place to place, where to stay, and SO much more.

This is your go-to resource for the tropical trip of a lifetime.

Costa Rica Itinerary Overview

• Days 1 to 3: La Fortuna & the Arenal Volcano
• Days 3 to 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest
• Days 5 to 7: Manuel Antonio & Nauyaca Waterfalls
• Days 7 to 14: Choose a couple of destinations along the Pacific. From Pavones to Santa Teresa and Playa Negra to Nosara , I’ll walk you through all of the best options so you can decide what’s right for you!
• 3 weeks to 1 month : You have time to explore the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines! Tackle all of the destinations in this Costa Rica itinerary that you’re interested in.

Want a printable PDF of this Costa Rica itinerary?

24 pages of itinerary, accommodation, and activity recommendations, must-know travel tips, and more!

• Costa Rica Itinerary Map

Feel free to use this table of contents to navigate this Costa Rica itinerary! Or simply read on.

P.S. Want a printable PDF version of this itinerary? Click here to get yours!

Table of Contents

Which Airport is Better?

Days 1-3: la fortuna & arenal volcano national park, days 3-5: monteverde cloud forest, days 5-7: manuel antonio national park & nauyaca waterfalls, some advice for choosing your week 2 destinations, pavones: beyond-epic surf, incredible nature, peace & quiet, corcovado national park: raw nature, abundant wildlife, santa teresa & montezuma: good surf, lush jungles, party vibes, restaurants, nosara: rustic-luxe vibes, nature, yoga, boutiques, restaurants, decent surf, playa negra & playa avellanas: great surf, rustic, relaxed, tamarindo: touristy beach town, convenient, lots to do, papagayo peninsula: luxurious resorts & stunning views, have even more time up to 1 month in costa rica, travel insurance in costa rica, did you know…, the best costa rica itinerary for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 1 month in costa rica.

Flying into Costa Rica

Arriving in Costa Rica is easy. When it comes to airports, you have two options:

• San Jose International Airport (Juan Santamaría, SJO)
• Liberia International Airport (Daniel Oduber, LIR)

Which airport is best to fly into depends on three things: the cost, the flight time, and your final destination in Costa Rica.

This is my favorite website to look for the best flights and airfare. Make sure to check both airports to see which gets you to Costa Rica fastest and cheapest.

The first place you’ll go with this Costa Rica itinerary is La Fortuna !

Sitting at 1 hour and 45 minutes from San Jose, or 2 hours and 45 minutes from Liberia, the 1-hour difference is negligible.

Where your trip ends is the question.

If you plan to finish up your time in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side, or on the central or southern coast of the Pacific, then San Jose is the most convenient.

On the other hand, if you plan to finish up your trip in Guanacaste (on the northern Pacific coast), then you should consider Liberia.

One thing you’ll learn quickly: A 4-hour drive in Costa Rica can easily turn into an 8-hour one. Choosing the closest airport matters when you have the time crunch of a departing airplane. You can also stay at an airport hotel for your last night to be on the safe side.

How to Get Around Costa Rica

How you choose to get around Costa Rica will massively impact how your trip plays out. In my mind, there’s only one way to do it: rent a car . However, I’ve laid out all your options below!

To get around Costa Rica, ideally, you should rent a car. This is the website I use to find the best rental car deals in Costa Rica!

Plus, in each of the destinations below, you’ll want to have a car. That way, getting to whichever beaches, restaurants, etc. you want to visit is cheap and easy!

In Costa Rica, fees for taxis and tuk-tuks, and daily rates for rental scooters and golf carts, can be pretty expensive once you reach your destination.

For a one-week rental car, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$500, plus gas and insurance. The best way to find a great deal is to book way in advance – especially if you’re traveling in the high season (late November through April).

Note: You’ll find more car options and much cheaper rates if you pick up and drop off your car in San Jose . Click here to book your rental car! With free cancellation, you can lock in a great deal now without hesitation.

Tips for Driving in Costa Rica

Driving around Costa Rica is pretty easy…

Just be aware that you NEED to book an SUV . Ideally, a 4-wheel drive (4X4) SUV.

Because you will encounter some crazy roads. And you may even have to cross a river or two – especially if you visit during Costa Rica’s rainy season .

In Costa Rica, roads can be riddled with potholes; dirt roads after storms can be very slippery; wildlife may cross the road at any time; and Ticos don’t exactly adhere to the same driving safety guidelines you may be used to!

So in other words: never drive on autopilot, always stay alert!

Personal safety isn’t usually an issue in Costa Rica, but theft can be another story.

It’s a good idea to park only in parking lots with security guards. Most parking lots in tourist areas have a security guard that you’ll have to pay anywhere from $1-5 to watch your car.

Generally, hotels offer secure parking.

Click here to book your Costa Rica rental car! With free cancellation, you can lock in a great deal now without hesitation.

Private shuttles in Costa Rica are very expensive , unless you have a large group to split the cost with.

Shared shuttles are commonly operated from one popular destination to the next, and are pretty affordable.

The best way to find shuttles in Costa Rica is usually to Google your route (i.e. private shuttle from Tamarindo to Liberia airport) and get a few different quotes from the operators that pop up.

Sometimes, there are set routes that you can book online.

This website is a great resource for finding private and shared routes throughout the country.

Also, Ticos use WhatsApp. So it’s usually best to send a couple of WhatsApp messages and see what comes back. Remember, you can (and should) negotiate the price! You can usually shave the cost down 10-20%, especially during Costa Rica’s green season .

Hot tip: If you want the comfort of a private ride, to save money, and don’t mind driving, I have a tip for you! Instead of a shuttle, rent a car for 24 hours. You can pick up your car in one destination and drop it off in another for a small fee. Rather than paying about $300 for a private shuttle from Playa Negra to San José airport, we recently rented a car for one day for about $90, plus gas! Click here to book your rental car.

If you’re on an extreme budget, then you can take the bus around Costa Rica.

Though to be perfectly honest, extreme budgets and Costa Rica don’t mix well.

Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America. Consider this Nicaragua Itinerary or these reasons to visit Guatemala instead!

I have never taken a bus in Costa Rica, so I don’t have any personal bus travel tips for you. However, I do know that:

• Taking the bus will be an adventure…!
• The local bus systems are still developing and usually privately owned, and you’ll have to do research on routes and companies for your specific destinations
• You usually can’t book online, you’ll pay in cash when you get on the bus
• Bus rides can be long (way longer than you may expect), hot, and uncomfortable
• Taking local buses is the least safe way to travel the country
• This is a good website to search for bus routes

Renting a car is the best option! Taking shuttles is second-best.

Click here to book your Costa Rica rental car. Make sure to set San José Airport or Liberia Airport as your pick-up/drop-off location!

1-Week Costa Rica Itinerary

If you only have one week in Costa Rica, then you have enough time to experience the best of the best!

You’ll kick off your trip in La Fortuna , Costa Rica’s rainforest adventure capital, in the shadow of the magnificent Arenal Volcano.

From there, you’ll gain elevation until you reach Monteverde , home to one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.

And finally, you’ll head for the Pacific coast, to explore one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beachfront national parks: Manuel Antonio .

Note: Depending on the timing of your flights in and out of Costa Rica, you may want to start your Costa Rica itinerary in Manuel Antonio and finish up in La Fortuna. (The drive to either airport from La Fortuna is shorter.)

Welcome to La Fortuna – the adventure capital of Costa Rica.

In my opinion, this little town is a must-include on everyone’s Costa Rica itinerary.

From zip lining through the jungle and relaxing in natural hot springs, to hiking along lava trails, swimming in waterfall pools, and spotting sloths in the wild, adventure awaits! And so do the many animals.

What to Do in La Fortuna

• Explore the hanging bridges (and consider taking a guided wildlife tour) at Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park . This is my favorite thing to do in La Fortuna!
• Soak in natural hot springs (there are free hot springs and fancy resort hot springs to choose from)
• Grab lunch at a traditional tico soda like Soda Sabores Lulu
• Go on a chocolate and coffee farm tour
• Hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall
• Go on a kayaking adventure or a safari raft float down the Fortuna River to spot wildlife; SO much fun!
• Go on a sloth-watching tour ; La Fortuna is one of the best places to see sloths in the wild… But if you’re not that lucky, you can go on this sloth-watching tour to guarantee yourself a sighting.
• Go zip lining at La Fortuna’s best zip-lining adventure course, Sky Adventures; I’ve done a few different courses around Costa Rica, and I LOVED this zip-line tour .
• Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
• There are lots more things to do in La Fortuna ! See my guide for all of the details you need to know.

READ MORE: 20 Fun & Adventurous Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Where to Stay in La Fortuna

• Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa ($$$$): I haven’t stayed here, but I have purchased a day pass to the hot springs – and they were incredible! Next time I go to La Fortuna, this luxury hot springs resort is my top choice for a splurge! Click here to book it.
• Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis ($$$) : I’ve stayed here twice and love it! They offer a free night frog tour (which is awesome!), the hospitality is so friendly, and the volcano views from the pool area are fab. Plus, breakfast is included. Click here to book it.
• Noah’s Forest Hotel by Tifakara ($$$): A beautiful hotel that weaves nature’s magic into every element of your stay. The riverside bungalows – featuring private jacuzzis – are so dreamy! Click here to book it.
• Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa ($$): A budget-friendly option with amazing views of the Arenal Volcano, hiking trails, and a bird sanctuary. Click here to book it.

How to Get to La Fortuna

Wondering how you get from the airport to La Fortuna? Here are the details.

From San Jose Airport

In your rental car , you can follow this Google Maps route . This route has tolls, which you can pay in colones or with your credit card. Make sure to check for traffic issues or closures before you head out.

Need a private shuttle from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna? Click here.

From Liberia Airport

In your rental car , you can follow this Google Maps route . There aren’t any tolls on this route – but check for traffic issues or closures before you go. There is an alternative (albeit longer) route available. Click here to book your rental car.

Need a private shuttle from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna? Click here.

Your 4th and 5th days in Costa Rica were made for Monteverde, Costa Rica .

Only 1% of the world’s forests are cloud forests. So Monteverde is a very special place to appreciate nature’s splendor.

While in Monteverde Cloud Forest, you’ll go on guided nature walks, in the daytime and at night! You’ll see all kinds of flora and fauna that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Oh, and if you don’t leave Monteverde as a bird-lover, I’ll be surprised. The birds here are stunning . Their vibrant colors will leave you in awe – and their songs fill your soul with happiness.

Even if you don’t see much wildlife (this is always a possibility!), the abundance of incredible trees and beautiful forest flowers in Monteverde will blow your mind.

Hot tip: It can get cold up in the cloud forest! A rain jacket and a puffy jacket will serve you well here.

What to Do in Monteverde Cloud Forest

• Go on a small-group guided nature walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve . This is the exact tour we went on. Our guide was awesome – an absolute pro at bird calls and spotting wildlife. We learned so much about the forest ecosystem on this tour. Click here to book your small-group tour. Alternatively, you can go on a private tour .
• Stay longer in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve to explore the many trails on your own ( after your guided tour ). The hike up to the “La Ventana” viewpoint over the Continental Divide is a must!
• Watch the sunset at Mirador San Luis or Mirador Valle Escondido .
• If you don’t have time in La Fortuna, go zip-lining through the treetops of Monteverde! Go on this Extreme Adventure Canopy Tour .
• Go on a guided night walking tour in the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge . Exploring the jungle by flashlight is such a cool, creepy, and unique experience. We saw so many amazing birds as the sun went down (motmots, owls, and woodpeckers!), nocturnal animals (like snakes, frogs, and tarantulas) in the dark, plus sleeping animals and birds! Click here to book your guided night walking tour.
• Eat traditional food at Soda La Amistad

READ MORE: 15 Amazing Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica + Must-Know Tips

• Enjoy some local craft beer at Monteverde Brewing Company
• The Curi-Cancha Reserve is home to some of the most beautiful birds in the world, including the Resplendent Quetzal. If you’re specifically into birds, go on this birdwatching tour to see them and learn about this unique ecosystem.
• If you don’t have time in La Fortuna, you can go on this Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour in Monteverde.
• If you have even more time, visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve . This is the other spectacular (and less-visited!) reserve in Monteverde.

Where to Stay in Monteverde Cloud Forest

• Koora Monteverde ($$$): Luxurious bungalows perched high in the cloud forest, offering the most stunning views from gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows. So dreamy! Click here to book it.
• Chira Glamping Monteverde ($$$): If you want an unforgettable experience in Monteverde’s majestic nature, this is your place. Click here to book it.
• Camino Verde B&B ($$): We stayed here, and it was apparent why it’s the most popular place in town! Our room was super comfortable – and a bottle of wine awaited us (Happy birthday to my boyfriend!). In the evenings, the entire hotel became enveloped by clouds. What an experience. The included breakfast was not so spectacular, though. Click here to book it.

How to Get to Monteverde

Driving yourself? From La Fortuna, follow this Google Maps route , which takes you to the town of Santa Elena. This is the main town, where most of Monteverde’s shops, restaurants, and hotels are.

If you don’t have a rental car, then you can take the scenic van-boat-van route . First, you’ll take a shuttle to the shores of Lake Arenal, boat across it, and then catch another shuttle to your Monteverde hotel. This option takes an extra hour, maybe longer.

Otherwise, simply take the shorter land route.

Need a private shuttle from La Fortuna to Monteverde? Click here .

Manuel Antonio will be the third and final destination in your one-week Costa Rica itinerary.

I was blown away by the stunning nature and pristine beaches in and around Manuel Antonio. You will be too!

For example: On our first morning, we were enjoying some gallo pinto (traditional Tico breakfast) over the incredible views at El Avion when we saw two yellow-throated toucans soaring through the trees below us. And when we left, about 10 scarlet macaw parrots were twittering in the tree above our rental car!

In Manuel Antonio, you’ll visit the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park ; where jungle hiking trails filled with wildlife meet stunning beaches.

You’ll visit some other beautiful beaches, savor succulent seafood, and visit Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfall: Nauyaca Waterfalls .

Hot tip: The main reason for coming here is to explore Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s CLOSED on Tuesdays, so plan your Costa Rica itinerary accordingly!

What to Do in Manuel Antonio

• Go on a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. This is the exact tour we did, and it was incredible! We saw SO much wildlife (from sloths to deer to owls to capuchins to snakes) thanks to our guide’s well-trained eye. We even saw squirrel monkeys, which is very rare! My advice? Book the very first tour, starting around 7 AM, to avoid crowds and see the most possible wildlife. Click here to book it.
• Spend the day hiking and hanging out at Playa Manuel Antonio inside of the national park ( after your guided tour )
• Hang out at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort beachfront restaurant all day long (even if you’re not a guest), sipping beachy cocktails

READ MORE: 17 Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio + Must-Know Tips

• Hang out at Biesanz Beach ‘s calm and sandy bay. Go first thing in the morning to have the place to yourself! Rent a kayak from the beach shack (for about $20/hour) and explore the rocky coastline.
• Stroll on the main beach, Espadilla Beach , at sunset

• Take a guided day trip to the breathtaking Nauyaca Waterfalls , or drive yourself there (it’s a 45-minute drive, one way). This will be one of the best experiences of your entire trip! Click here to book it.
• Enjoy the incredible rainforest view over a traditional meal at El Avion
• This is a little random, but… Savor some of the BEST falafel of your life (seriously) at Falafel Bar . They make their tahini fresh, in-house.

HOT TIP: Want a printable PDF version of this itinerary? Click here to get yours!

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio

The main town near Manuel Antonio is called Quepos. This is NOT where I recommend you stay.

Instead, stay somewhere in between there and Manuel Antonio – either in an area called “El Cerro” or in the little Manuel Antonio village (which is within walking distance to the national park).

There are plenty of splurge-worthy beachfront resorts to choose from, too!

Here are the best places to stay in Manuel Antonio:

• Makanda by the Sea – Adults Only ($$$$): A stunning boutique 5-star resort that you will never forget. Really… It’s that good . Incredible rainforest-to-sea views, infinity pools, plush guest suites, and jungle-chic design are a few reasons why! Click here to book it.
• Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort ($$$): A beautiful beachfront resort with a private beach and jungle walking trails. The perfect beachside stay in paradise! Click here to book it.
• Tulemar Resort ($$$): In 2019 and 2022, this hotel was ranked the #1 hotel in the world on TripAdvisor. Nestled into 33 acres of private jungle, you can choose between luxurious casas or beachy bungalows and soak up the epic Pacific Ocean views. Click here to book it.
• Riverside Villas ($$): Cute, budget-friendly villas set in lush nature, close to the secret El Salto Waterfall trailhead. Click here to book it.
• Glamping Tomaselli ($): Glamorous camping? Why not? Converted storage containers with outdoor showers and geodesic domes featuring jungle views keep nature at the forefront of your Manuel Antonio experience. A little rustic – but that’s Costa Rica. We stayed here, and while it wasn’t my favorite, the outdoor shower was pretty awesome. Next time, I’d splurge on a stay at Makanda by the Sea .

How to Get to Manuel Antonio

If you’re driving to Manuel Antonio, you can follow this Google Maps route .

Need a SHARED shuttle from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio? Click here.

2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary

Planning on spending two weeks in Costa Rica? Lucky you!

With two weeks in Costa Rica, you should follow the 1-week itinerary above. Then, it’ll be time to explore more of the Pacific side of the country.

While I think that La Fortuna, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and Manuel Antonio are non-negotiable destinations for your first week in Costa Rica, your second week in Costa Rica is up to you!

So, would you rather…

• Take it slow in a rustic beach village?
• Surf the country’s best waves? (Or learn how to surf?)
• See more animals and explore more of Costa Rica’s incredible rainforests and national parks?
• Dine at fabulous restaurants, shop, and do some yoga?
• All of the above?

There are a lot of potential options, so I’m going to lay out the best ones to choose from. Then, you can decide based on your interests!

If I were you, I’d choose just one or two destinations from the list below to add to your Costa Rica travel itinerary.

It takes a long time to drive just about anywhere in Costa Rica, and you don’t want to spend your whole vacation in transit.

Each of the destinations below could take up one week on their own (with plenty of chill beach time included).

But also, 3 or 4 days in each destination would suffice , if you want to split up your last week into two.

You could choose three destinations, providing that they’re all quite close to each other… You just wouldn’t have time to explore each one in depth.

Working our way from SOUTH TO NORTH, here are your best options for your second week in Costa Rica:

Pavones is located way down south, near the border with Panama.

We planned to visit on our most recent 3-month trip, but sadly, those plans fell through! My boyfriend is dying to visit though, so we’ll get there next time.

If you’re a surfer, then this spot needs no introduction (and requires a non-negotiable inclusion in your Costa Rica itinerary).

This wave is the longest left in the world!

Costa Rica gets pretty consistent swell year-round, but if you visit between April to October you’re almost guaranteed to score some of the best crowd-less waves of your life.

And if you don’t surf, then simply move along to the next destination on this Costa Rica itinerary!

What to Do in Pavones

• Surf, surf, and surf some more
• Hang out at the beach
• Enjoy the nature, peace, and quiet

Where to Stay in Pavones

• Tiskita Jungle Lodge ($$$): This eco-lodge, perched right on the edge of lush jungle, is pure magic. Book in advance, Tiskita Jungle Lodge sells out! And note, there is no air conditioning – just the ocean breeze from your beachfront bungalow. Click here to book it.
• Pavones Point ($$): Beautiful multi-bedroom holiday homes to host up to 8 people. Click here to book it.
• Kanoa Lodge ($): A brand new jungle lodge with ocean views and a pool. From air conditioning to wifi, you’ll have all the comforts of home in paradise. Click here to book it.

Want to get off the beaten path? And see Costa Rica’s wildest, most abundant display of flora and fauna?

Visiting Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula, is the way to do it.

Corcovado National Park is home to lagoons, marshes, rivers, mangroves, wet rainforests, sandy beaches, and even low-altitude cloud forests. In other words, it is the most spectacular and biodiverse region in Costa Rica.

While in the park, you may be lucky enough to see ocelots and pumas; leatherback, olive ridley, and green turtles; and howler, spider, squirrel, and white-faced capuchin monkeys…

You can also see Baird’s tapirs, great tinamou birds, silky anteaters (so cute!), poison dart frogs, bushmaster snakes (the deadliest snake in the Americas), coatis, and SO many more.

6,000+ species of insects, 360+ birds, 140+ mammals, 110+ amphibians and reptiles, and 40+ types of freshwater fish live in Corcovado.

Unlike the other national parks listed in this Costa Rica itinerary, you can’t enter Corcovado National Park without an official certified guide and a permit. (Your tour operator can get the permit for you.)

The most common way to get to the park is to first make your way to Drake Bay. From there, you can join a tour.

• Note #1: You need to have a high level of fitness to experience this national park. Long days of hiking through difficult terrain in hot and humid weather are on the agenda! You also need to be comfortable enough with being uncomfortable for a day or two. It’ll be worth it!
• Note #2: You also absolutely need to come prepared. Make sure to wear waterproof hiking boots and hiking socks ! Bring a good hiking pack , eco-friendly bug spray , water shoes , a hat , a dry bag (for your camera, etc.), a swimsuit , and rain gear just in case.

How to Experience Corcovado National Park

The best way to experience Corcovado National Park is on an overnight tour .

You’ve come all this way, so you should soak in this incredible place as much as possible!

Two-Day Experience

This two-day tour in Corcovado National Park will be the adventure of a lifetime.

On this tour from Drake Bay, you’ll boat to Sirena Station. You’ll explore the trails, spotting tons of wildlife, like monkeys, agoutis, coatis, and beautiful birds. Next is a boat ride to San Pedrillo – the wildest area of the park. You’ll hike to San Pedrillo Waterfall for lunch. You’ll explore the magical trails, looking for top predators. That night, you’ll sleep in a hostel in the park.

Waking up early, you’ll trek through dense jungle, spotting and/or listening to wildlife all the way, until you reach Los Planes. From there, a 4X4 will take you back to Drake Bay. Sounds magical, doesn’t it? Click here to book your two-day adventure.

ONE-Day Experience

If you only have the time (or tolerance) for one day, then consider this full-day Corcovado adventure tour departing from Drake Bay instead.

Where to Stay in Drake Bay

Before and after your adventure in Corcovado National Park, plan to spend the night in Drake Bay. All of these options have air conditioning!

• Drake Bay Greenleaf ($$$): The most luxurious option around, perfect to decompress after a taxing couple of days in Corcovado National Park! Click here to book it.
• Sunset Lodge ($$): Ocean views, a pool, and a rustic jungle atmosphere. Click here to book it.
• Hotel Gitana Corcovado ($): A super cute and budget-friendly option set on a secluded beach. Click here to book it.

Santa Teresa is such a pura vida vibe!

The incredibly green jungles, abundant wildlife, dusty dirt roads, boutique hotels, chic restaurants, lively bars, jungle raves, unspoiled beaches, surf breaks, and endless things to do make Santa Teresa a destination for everyone.

If you’re an advanced surfer, you’ll love it. But if you want to learn, there are also beginner breaks and surf lessons available.

The beaches are stunning. The nature is next level.

And there are so many great restaurants and bars.

Plus, the town of Montezuma is just 40 minutes away. It’s quieter, more authentic, and affordable. I LOVED Montezuma. (And prefer it over Santa Teresa.) It’s

My favorite adventure in the area was renting an ATV to explore the beaches, jungles and towns from Santa Teresa to Montezuma. My boyfriend’s favorite part was the surf.

NOTE: The best way to get to Santa Teresa (located on the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula) is to take the car ferry from Puntarenas.

What to Do in Santa Teresa & Montezuma

• Surf the many breaks in and around Santa Teresa – or take a surf lesson if you’re a beginner. Click here to book your surf lesson.
• Have a few craft beers and delicious pub food at Kooks Smokehouse & Bar . Their daily 2-for-1 happy hour is very generous!
• Go on this incredible bioluminescent kayak tour after dark in Paquera Bay. Such a cool experience. Click here to book it.
• Enjoy the delicious food and cocktails and amazing atmosphere at Katana Asian Cuisine
• Go out on the town; start your night with cocktails at Somos Cafe
• Rent ATVs for a day to explore the area; cruise to the beaches around Santa Teresa and ride along the jungle mountain roads through Malpais, Cabuya, and Cedros until you reach Montezuma
• Have a craft beer and a burger at Butterfly Brewing Co. (in Montezuma)
• Stop by the Montezuma Beach Market on Saturday (in Montezuma)
• Go on a snorkeling trip to Isla Tortuga to snorkel on a volcanic reef! You’ll see beautiful tropical marine life including spotted eagle rays, angelfish, moray eels, and needlefish. Click here to book your snorkeling trip.

HOT TIP: Want a printable copy of this Costa Rica itinerary? Click here to get yours!

Where to Stay in Santa Teresa & Montezuma

Choose to stay in Santa Teresa, in Montezuma, or split your time up half and half.

Here are the best places to stay!

Santa Teresa

• Hotel Nantipa – A Tico Beach Experience ($$$)
• Vista del Alma Boutique – Adults Only ($$$)
• Blue Mist Hotel – Adults Only ($$)
• Hotel Nya ($$)
• Casitas Sollevante Boutique Hotel ($$)
• Aves Hotel Montezuma ($$)

Nosara has been an ex-pat surf and yoga hub for decades, so don’t expect to find a super traditional Tico experience here. It’s a little Westernized… but not overly so.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Nosara, on vacation and living there as a digital nomad. And I like it a lot.

Particularly because we always stay at the Tierra Magnifica Boutique Hotel , whose lush jungle views (from your shower!) stretch all the way to Playa Guiones. It’s SO beautiful.

But also because of its chilled-out vibes, great restaurants, beautiful beaches, and yoga studios.

What to Do in Nosara

• Surf the beach break at Playa Guiones or take a surf lesson
• Kayak or safari float through the mangroves on the Río Nosara
• Go for an early morning nature walk in the Nosara Biological Reserve
• Savor sunset dinners at La Luna and Coyol
• Do yoga at one of Nosara’s many yoga studios
• Go on an ATV tour to a waterfall
• Go on a sunset horseback riding adventure
• See sea turtles laying eggs and/or hatching at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge
• Dine at all of the best restaurants in Nosara

READ MORE: 15 Epic Things to Do in Nosara, Costa Rica

Where to Stay in Nosara

• Tierra Magnifica ($$$): I’ve stayed at this beautiful boutique hotel twice and I cannot recommend it enough! Click here to book your stay at Tierra Magnifica.
• Harmony Hotel ($$$): A lush jungle oasis, complete with a beautiful pool, organic juice and smoothie bar, delicious restaurant, peaceful vibe, and one of Nosara’s best yoga studios. You will love this hotel. Click here to book it.

• The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel ($$$): A short walk from Playa Guiones, and all of Nosara’s best restaurants, bars, and shops, the Gilded Iguana has the prime location – and a surf club with surfboard rentals, beach chairs, etc. for guests! Click here to book it.
• The Nomadic Hotel ($$): The beachy boho-chic vibes at The Nomadic are everything. I love their yoga shala and peaceful little pool area. Click here to book it.

READ MORE: Best Restaurants in Nosara: Where to Eat & Drink in Nosara

Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas are located within a ten-minute drive of each other. So even though each place is distinctive, you can easily fully experience each village no matter which one you choose as your base.

For this Costa Rica itinerary, I’m lumping them into one section.

I’ve been to this area of Costa Rica on three separate trips, and have spent many months here. We keep coming back for the relaxed and rustic beach vibes, beautiful beaches, great surf, epic Costa Rican coffee, and a handful of truly great restaurants.

If you want to get a little off the beaten path, surf, and chill out – with the convenience of being just 40 minutes from Tamarindo and 1.5 hours from the Liberia airport – come here.

What to Do in Playa Negra & Playa Avellanas

• Savor a freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee and gallo pinto at Corazón Surf Café (Playa Negra)
• Surf the reef break at Playa Negra (as seen in the surf film Endless Summer II )
• Surf the beach breaks at Playa Avellanas (or take some lessons!)
• Walk through the mangroves from Cabinas Las Olas to Playa Avellanas
• Visit the Sunday Night Market at Playa Negra’s skatepark
• Take a drive down Easy Street to Playa Blanca
• Take a yoga class in the beachfront palapa at Hotel Playa Negra

READ MORE: Ultimate Travel Guide to Playa Negra, Costa Rica

Where to Stay in Playa Negra & Playa Avellanas

• J.W. Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa ($$$$): A luxury beachfront resort nestled into the rustic Guanacaste jungle… The best of both worlds. Click here to book it.
• SoulShine Hotel & Restaurant ($$): This little family-friendly hotel features cute individual bungalows, a pool area, and an Israeli café. I love the falafel here! This hotel is a 5-minute drive from Playa Avellanas. Click here to book it.
• Hotel Playa Negra ($$): Playa Negra’s beachfront hotel looks out over one of the country’s best surf breaks! The hotel’s beachy bungalows are super cute; but only the “suite” bungalows have air conditioning. Click here to book it.
• Cafe Playa Negra Hotel ($$): This boho-chic hotel is located in the town, about a 10-minute walk from Playa Negra. Click here to book it.

If you want a tropical Costa Rican beach vacation, with the convenience and comforts you’re used to at home, then Tamarindo is for you.

There are abundant luxury hotels and resorts, restaurants, bars, cafés, boutique shops, surf breaks, and things to do in Tamarindo. Plus, there are all sorts of day trip adventures you can book from this area – like this Rincón de la Vieja Volcano adventure .

Tamarindo was the first place I visited in Costa Rica 10+ years ago. And since it’s just 40 minutes north of where we usually stay long-term ( Playa Negra ), I’ve spent a bit of time here.

So you know: Tamarindo’s beaches and tropical dry forests are beautiful. But the town is very touristy; and in high season, it gets extremely busy. You won’t find much of an authentic Costa Rican experience here. But you will get convenience, ease, and endless fun. Plus, Liberia airport is just 1.5 hours away.

What to Do in Tamarindo

• Hang out at Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande
• Embark on this adventure combo tour which takes you to the foot of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano for a fun day of zip-lining, river tubing, horseback riding, and soaking in hot springs ; I included this tour in my very first Costa Rica travel itinerary and it was an absolute blast! Click here to book it.
• Take a surf lesson
• Shop at the many locally owned boutiques around town
• Hop in your rental car and explore the beaches down south: Playa Avellanas, Playa Negra (stop for a coffee and lunch at Corazón Surf Café !), Playa Blanca, Marbella, and San Juanillo are all easily within reach.
• Go on this estuary boat safari in Las Baulas National Park where you’ll hopefully see crocodiles, howler monkeys, all kinds of birds, and more.
• Go on this sailing adventure along Guanacaste’s beautiful coastline, looking for marine life like whales, dolphins, and turtles. You’ll anchor in a cove to swim, snorkel, SUP, or kayak along the way. Click here to book it.
• Get a massage on the beach
• Have a craft beer at Volcano Brewing
• Go on an ATV beach adventure
• Eat at the food court El Mercadito de Tamarindo Food and Cocktail Market . I love the arepa stall!
• Go to the Tamarindo Night Market on Thursday night
• Party at one of the many bars and nightclubs

Where to Stay in Tamarindo

• Ocho Artisan Bungalows ($$$)
• Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel ($$$)
• Sueño del Mar Beachfront Hotel ($$)
• La Ramona Charming Hotel ($$)

I recently stayed at the Costa Rica Four Seasons up on the Papagayo Peninsula. And honestly, it was awesome .

If your Costa Rica itinerary requires a luxurious beach resort stay, then head straight to the Papagayo Peninsula. Ready to relax to the max, enjoy some of the country’s most spectacular views, and eat and drink well?

From white-sand beaches and sparkling turquoise waters to lush mountainous jungles, the nature in this area could not be more stunning!

Simply choose a beachfront resort (hint: stay at Costa Rica Four Seasons if you can swing it), and you’re in for a fabulous time.

Plus, if you want to surf, Witch’s Rock (one of Costa Rica’s top surf spots) is nearby. My boyfriend went on a day trip there via private boat from the beach at the Four Seasons (which was stupidly expensive, by the way; definitely arrange this outside of whichever hotel you stay at).

To fill your time, you can: hang at the beach, jet-ski, surf at Witch’s Rock (advanced surfers only), paddle board, snorkel, horseback ride, hike, bike, kayak, zip-line. And drink delicious craft beers from Papagayo Brewing Co. Pura vida!

Where to Stay in the Papagayo Peninsula

• Four Seasons Costa Rica ($$$$$)
• Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica (All-Inclusive, Adults Only) ($$$$)
• Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo ($$$$)
• El Mangroove Papagayo, Autograph Collection ($$$)
• Planet Hollywood Costa Rica (All-Inclusive) ($$$)

How much time in Costa Rica is too much? I’ve yet to discover the limit…

If you have more than two weeks in Costa Rica, this section is for you!

3 Weeks in Costa Rica

Planning a 3-week Costa Rica Itinerary?

If you have three weeks in Costa Rica, then you have time to include almost all of the destinations above in your Costa Rica travel itinerary.

Pick and choose which destinations suit your interests!

1 Month in Costa Rica

If you have one month in Costa Rica, you’ll have time to make the cross-country drive to the Caribbean coast ! Talk about the best Costa Rica itinerary ever!

I haven’t made it to the Caribbean side yet. But when I do, here are the three must-visit Caribbean destinations on my radar.

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most distinctive and exhilarating destinations – a breathtaking blend of tropical rainforests, mangrove forests, and coastal beaches.

The biodiversity within this park is impressive, but the main reason to go is to see turtles!

Tortuguero National Park is the most important nesting ground in the Western Hemisphere for the endangered green sea turtle. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest on the beaches of Tortuguero.

During your visit, on Tortuguero’s moonlit beaches, you may see turtles laying eggs, babies hatching, or both! This is a magical experience you’ll never forget!

Note: You can also see this occur on the Pacific coast. I’ve seen it in Ostional National Wildlife Refuge near Nosara and Playa Negra .

Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is another gem on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The park is home to a stunningly diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife spotting. (But so is every other place on this list…)

So why else should you visit? To snorkel!

Apparently, snorkeling on the Cahuita Coral Reef (only accessible by boat) in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea is an awesome experience.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (or simply, Puerto Viejo) is a charming coastal town tucked away in the southeastern corner of Costa Rica.

Known for its laid-back atmosphere, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Rastafarian cultures, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a unique blend of authentic experiences that sets it apart from other Costa Rica destinations.

Some say this is the best place in all of Costa Rica. I want to go here so badly; I’m definitely including Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in my next Costa Rica itinerary!

Essential Packing List for Costa Rica

What would a Costa Rica itinerary be without a packing list?

When you visit Costa Rica, there are quite a few non-negotiable items to pack!

Here’s a little Amazon shopping list, for your convenience!

• Eco-Friendly & Organic Bug Repellent : Because mosquitos and sandflies in Costa Rica are no joke!
• Reef-Safe & Water-Resistant Mineral Sunscreen : This is the best sunscreen I’ve ever come across. Reef-safe and all-natural for the win!
• Reef-Safe Surf Mud Sunscreen : To protect your face and neck in the surf. A must!
• Manduka EKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat : Costa Rica is yoga country! This super lightweight, grippy yoga mat will be your constant companion. I love this yoga mat and bring it everywhere.
• GRAYL GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle : A prerequisite for any adventurous trip, so you can drink any water , any time. This is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. An actual lifesaver.
• Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag : This is the ultimate Costa Rica rainforest adventure item. Going kayaking or rafting? Hiking and it starts to downpour? No worries.
• Quick-Dry Turkish Beach Towel : A must, for obvious reasons; these towels are compact, quick-dry, soft, aesthetically pleasing, and come with a travel bag.
• GearTOP Bucket Hat : My favorite breathable, full-coverage hat for nature adventures in the sun.
• Merrell Waterproof Hiking Boots : Planning to do some serious hiking in Costa Rica’s amazing national parks? These are my favorite hiking boots, for life.

This is the most important section in this entire Costa Rica itinerary.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having travel insurance when you travel to Costa Rica.

This is one of the most wild countries on the planet… where anything can happen. Traveling here is not without risks, so it’s VERY important that you understand that and take it seriously.

Safety Risks of Traveling in Costa Rica

I know someone (by two degrees of separation) who was recently paralyzed by a falling tree branch while hiking during her one-week family holiday in Costa Rica. She didn’t have travel insurance. Her family had to raise over $100,000 USD on GoFundMe to pay for a medically-staffed flight back to the United States.

In Costa Rica, tree branches fall onto cars, homes, and people more often than you’d think… My boyfriend and I had a very close call in the Místico Hanging Bridges Park.

There are highly dangerous snakes, scorpions, spiders, and other insects in Costa Rica. And there are equally dangerous mammals and marine animals, like crocodiles and bull sharks.

Severe food poisoning and mosquito-borne viruses (like Dengue) are also possible.

Car or scooter accidents can happen too; driving is always an adventure in Costa Rica. Two crazy dogs chased me and my boyfriend on our scooter, trying to bite our legs, until we eventually crashed and wrecked our bike…

Hopefully, none of these things will happen to you! And they probably won’t.

But you have to understand that there are a lot more risks than you may be used to at home.

In the case of an incident, you will be so grateful that you took out a travel insurance policy .

Choose a travel insurance policy that covers medical and dental emergencies and emergency medical evacuation, as well as things like travel delays, trip interruptions, and lost checked luggage.

This is the travel insurance I currently have. It’s very affordable , so there’s no excuse not to have it.

Click here to purchase travel insurance.

When you book travel or purchase something through our links, we receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you ? Your support enables Maddy’s Avenue to keep producing helpful travel content. Thank you!

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From the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park to walking on hanging bridges in the treetops with Arenal Volcano in full view… the beauty of Costa Rica is sure to take your breath away.

From the abundant birdlife in Monteverde to the hot springs of La Fortuna to the lush jungles on the Pacific Coast to the sea turtles of Tortuguero, Costa Rica’s nature really is unparalleled.

With this Costa Rica itinerary, you’ll experience it all.

You’re in for an adventure of a lifetime.

Adopt Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit along the way, and never forget it for the rest of your days!

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Over to you! Are you planning your dream Costa Rica itinerary? Do you have questions about traveling to Costa Rica? Have you been before? Did I miss one of your favorite destinations or activities? Comment below!

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About Maddy Cornelius

Hey! I'm the cook, world explorer, chief wordsmith, and photographer behind Maddy's Avenue. A California native, I've lived in many countries around the globe, but I'm currently traveling through Latin America. Slowly. Running two businesses. Livin' the "digital nomad" life. I’m here to learn, grow, and explore this planet - ever in search of bold flavors and epic adventures. My goal? To inspire you to live a bold life: to discover yourself and the world around you at greater depths – one forkful, or one plane ticket, at a time. Thanks for being here!

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The Ultimate 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary

Get ready to zigzag your way from the Pacific to the Caribbean with this ultimate 10-Day Costa Rica itinerary.

Anyone who follows my blog will know that Costa Rica is one of my favourite countries on the planet. It’s a country that offers an adventurous experience-packed style of travel, with endless memories created along the way.

One day you’ll be white water rafting on ferocious rapids, the next you’ll be staying in a unique eco-lodge falling asleep to the sound of howler monkeys and tree frogs. It’s a destination where you can truly connect with nature and forget the stresses of daily life back home.

Venture out to the rainforests for incredible wildlife encounters, relax in bubbling hot springs and get stuck into simple, delicious BBQ’ed Costa Rican food on the Caribbean coast. I can’t guarantee you’ll see a sloth, but I can guarantee you’ll return home with some epic stories!

I’ve already written a detailed guide to spending two weeks in Costa Rica , but I know many of you are pressed for time on your vacations. Coming up is the perfect route to take you from Pacific Coast to the Caribbean Coast over 10 fun-packed days.

This 10-day Costa Rica itinerary is for those who want to cram in a lot to their trip. You won’t be able to squeeze in much downtime if you want to see and do as much as possible on your 10-day adventure, but you’ll make the most of every minute.

From the wildlife in Corcovado and Puerto Viejo, to the beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean, and adventure activities including zip lining and white water rafting, this really is the best way to spend 10 days in Costa Rica!

Planning your trip to Costa Rica? Here are a few quick highlights:

The Ultimate 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary 

If you’re planning a 10-day Costa Rica itinerary, and want to gain a good overview of everything the country offers, you’ve come to the right place.

This route will take you on a little zigzag tour from one side of the country to the other, stopping off at a few highlights in the middle too. When you factor in travel time, you might find you want a little longer in some of the places, or skip one.

Whether you’re planning a wildlife themed trip or are keen to try some activities, this travel guide will give you a good starting point.

READ MORE: Wondering what to pack for your trip? Find out in my handy Costa Rica packing guide  or learn more about the country before you get there with 34 fascinating facts about Costa Rica .

Day 1 + 2: Corcovado National Park

I’m kicking off this 10-day Costa Rica itinerary with a walk on the wild side over on the Pacific Coast. Assuming you’ve flown into the capital (San José) I’d recommend catching a flight straight over to Puerto Jimenez down in the Osa Peninsula. The views from the plane make it well worth the journey!

Once there, make your way to an eco-lodge, get an early night and prepare for one of the best days of your life as you go trekking in Corcovado National Park.

This is on of the top places to spot wildlife in Costa Rica. From whales and turtles, to monkeys, snakes and frogs, there’s SO much to see. I’d recommend booking a rainforest trek via your hotel or a local provider. The guides in this part of Costa Rica know all there is to know about every creature in the rainforest and this isn’t somewhere to wander around solo!

We woke up at 4am for our rainforest tour. It was well worth the early start! Even on the drive to the national park we spotted scarlet macaws and monkeys playing in the trees.

Once inside Corcovado National Park, we spotted all four of Costa Rica’s varieties of monkey (squirrel, spider, howler and white-faced capuchin), coatis, agoutis, macaws, Halloween crabs, and learnt all about the park’s impressive trees, sea turtles and more. I loved it!

We trekked along deserted sandy beaches, hiked through thick jungle and enjoyed a packed lunch with an amazing view of the Pacific.

Check availability and latest prices at Lapa Rios here

Day 3: Naranjo de Alajuela

So, you’ve kicked off your 10 days in Costa Rica with a flavour of what the country is all about, with some epic wild encounters in Corcovado. Now it’s time for a change of scene. After hopping on a flight back to San José, it’s time to drive an hour north to a pretty lodge up in the hills.

This is an area I fell in love with on my last trip. You’re unlikely to find on a lot of generic Costa Rica itineraries out there. Consider it a hidden gem, away from the tourists!

The accommodation at Chayote Lodge is stunning, designed around the old coffee receiving stations. You’ll notice this coffee theme continues through the interiors. The wall hangings are made from coffee sacks as are the backs of the seats in the restaurant. They serve a great cup of coffee at breakfast too!

For me though, it was the view that took my breath away. Looking out from my little wooden home, I could see three volcanoes, layers and layers of stunning morning mist and epic sunsets, along with lush gardens filled with more hydrangeas than I’ve ever seen in my life. I still remember exactly how I felt as I snapped these photos and WOW was it a special moment!

Check availability and latest prices at Chayote Lodge here

If you want to plan an activity or two for the day you’re in this region, I’d recommend visiting Espiritu Santo for a coffee tour, or taking a trip to see the impressive Catarata Del Toro waterfall.

On the coffee tour you’ll learn how the ripe red coffee cherries are turned into the satisfying caffeinated drink we start our days with. It’s always amazing to come face to face with the processes for things we take for granted! I picked up a few bags of coffee beans to take home too.

If you want to see lots of amazing scenery during your 10 days in Costa Rica, definitely plan a visit to the 90m tall Catarata Del Toro. This waterfall is one of the most impressive in the whole country. The route down to the falls is steep, but you’ll get incredible photos once you reach the base of the waterfall.

READ MORE: Top Things To Do In Costa Rica 

Day 4 + 5: Monteverde

Around three hours northwest of Naranjo is one of the most famous areas in Costa Rica and somewhere you cannot miss, whether this is your first trip to the country or your tenth.

Monteverde is the region famed for the country’s ‘cloud forests’. It’s a very special sight to see the lush forests submerged in low hanging mist and clouds.

There are plenty of great ways to see this unique scenery too. You could hop on board a sky tram (a gondola), walk along the sky walk (beautiful hanging suspension bridges) or even zoom through the trees on a zip line. Don’t miss a trip to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve too.

If you like a little bit of adrenaline, you’ll love the zip lining in Monteverde . It’s still some of the best I’ve ever done! There are lots of zip lines at 100% Aventura Extreme including the longest zip line in Central America and a heart rate inducing Mega Tarzan Swing!

If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Monteverde, I’d recommend checking out these fun tours .

Day 6 + 7: La Fortuna 

I love how varied this 10-day Costa Rica itinerary is. One minute you’re hanging out with monkeys in the rainforest, the next you’re zooming through the cloud forests on a zip line, and now it’s time to come face to face with one of Costa Rica’s most amazing views.

Arenal Volcano is a highlight of any trip to Costa Rica. You’ll be mesmerised by views of the 1,670m peak as you drive around towards the small town of La Fortuna. Depending on what you fancy, you cold go on one of the many treks inside Arenal Volcano National Park, go cycling or even take in the scenery on horseback.

Other things to do in La Fortuna include visiting La Fortuna waterfall which is immersed in thick jungle, or chilling out in the region’s hot springs. It’s a beautiful area – even if you just go on a little road trip, you’ll love visiting this part of Costa Rica.

If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in La Fortuna, I’d recommend checking out these fun tours .

Day 8 – 10: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

For the last few days we’re heading to the stunning white sands of the Caribbean. It’s a pretty long drive (around 5 hours) from La Fortuna, so I’ve factored in 3 days here as you might want to use one just for the journey.

If you want to travel in an adventurous way, there are a few tour companies who offer a day tour where you go white water rafting on the Pacuare River (one of the best places for this activity in the country) during the day, then they drop you to your location of choice after. Essentially, rather than sit on a bus for the day, you could get picked up from Arenal, spend the day out on the water and still end up in Puerto Viejo at the end of the day!

There’s a big difference from Caribbean coast to the Pacific, and it’s something you’ll feel as you arrive in this hippie town. Expect rasta vibes, the sounds of reggae and the scent of jerk chicken.

Daytimes are chilled with surf time, chill time, perhaps a bit of yoga or a trek through the rainforest. After dark it gets lively, especially as this a popular town for backpackers travelling through Central America. It’s also one of the best beach towns in Costa Rica .

No doubt you’ll want to see some more of the country’s wildlife before you round off your 10 days in Costa Rica, and there are two amazing spots near this funky Caribbean town.

Cahuita National Park ’s rainforest sits right on the beach close to Puerto Viejo and is a prime place to see all sorts of creatures including toucans, monkeys, lizards, snakes, giant crickets, leaf cutter ants and even Costa Rica’s most famed animal – the sloth.

To guarantee seeing some amazing creatures before you fly home, take a trip to the  Jaguar Rescue Centre – a refuge for sick, unwanted or underdeveloped wild animals.

I love the backstory of this place. It was set up by a couple of biomedical scientists from Europe who moved to Costa Rica for a change of pace. Little did they know, as soon as they moved to the area, locals heard they could help animals and turned up on the doorstep with sick monkeys, owls with broken wings, and blind crocodiles! They decided to set up the rescue centre and it’s been expanding ever since.

When I visited a few years ago I was invited to sit inside one of the monkey enclosures while spider and squirrel monkeys played around. It was also amazing to see sloths so close.

Useful Info For Planning A Trip To Costa Rica

Currency: While colones are the local currency in Costa Rica, lots of places will accept US dollars too. If you pay in dollars, you’re likely to receive colones as change. On my recent trip I noticed a lot more places accepted credit cards and contactless payments.

Packing advice: With so many climates and landscapes, you’ll want to plan your packing carefully. I’d recommend reading my Costa Rica packing guide before you go. Lots of extras you might not have thought about.

‘Pura Vida’ is a way of life in Costa Rica! I heard it used as hello / goodbye / thank you. Translating literally as the pure life, but the meaning is more about a good life, a relaxed life and a happy/content life. Slip it into conversation and you’ll certainly impress the locals!

Do you need to speak Spanish to travel around Costa Rica? No, but it will certainly help in more remote areas. As tourism is a huge part of Costa Rica’s economy, lots of guides, drivers and shopkeepers speak English. I’m sure after two weeks in Costa Rica you’ll have a few key Spanish phrases at your fingertips too.

Is Costa Rica safe? I think it’s very safe. Compared to its neighbours, Costa Rica is an extremely peaceful country. It doesn’t even have an army! People are warm, friendly and helpful, plus there’s a huge passion for the country’s nature and landscapes – the Costa Ricans really want to preserve their country, as they know more than anyone else, that it’s a very special place.

Travel: While Costa Rica isn’t a big country to drive around, some of the roads are windy, rugged and bumpy, so what looks like a 2-hour drive, could end up taking 4. If you’re short on time, take a look at internal flights to speed journeys up.

I hope these suggestions help with planning your 10 days in Costa Rica. If you’re visiting for longer, take a look at where else I recommend in my guide to spending two weeks in Costa Rica .

I’ve featured a few other great spots in my guide to the best beach towns in Costa Rica , including Manuel Antonio National Park, Nosara, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo and Tortuguero National Park. They’re on my list for a future trip!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my 10-day Costa Rica itinerary and it helps you plan your holiday! Have an amazing time, and feel free to comment below if you have any questions!

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

6 thoughts on “The Ultimate 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary”

Thank you for the excellent blog. We are planning to have similar 10 day trip, including the Osa Peninsula. Will you please provide some suggestion, which airlines to use to fly in to Puerto Jimenez, from San Jose, how many days you stayed there. Thanks.

Hi there! Amazing – it was such a great trip! I flew with Sansa airlines. I was in Corcovado for 3 days roughly, but would love to stay longer! Hope that helps. Have a great time!

Thanks for this. We’re looking at Osa Peninsula. What was it like flying there? I’m nervous about small planes.

Hi Melissa, I really enjoyed the flight on the small plane as you could see so many amazing views from the window! It felt like being on an exclusive private jet! If you’re a nervy flier you might not like it, but I think most people would enjoy the experience.

Me and my partner are heading to CR in December for 10 days and loved reading your pages!

We’re from the UK and we drive, but I’m always apprehensive about hiring cars abroad and was wondering whether your itinerary is doable with public transport/busses/shuttles?

What would you suggest?

Kind regards,

Priten & Heena

Hi Priten, How exciting! You’re going to love it. To be honest, I think visiting Costa Rica is much better with your own set of wheels. You can get public transport between key places but it’s not great for getting off the beaten track to some of the less touristy spots. I think you’d miss out on some pretty special experiences. I’d also say it’s a bit cheaper as you might end up on expensive tour after expensive tour if you try to plan an alternative way of seeing key spots. Driving is pretty easy in CR. Most roads are decent and while some are a bit bumpy at times, they’re better than most countries I’ve visited! I hope that helps.

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The natural world puts on a dramatic display in Costa Rica. Lush rainforests that are home to endless species reach all the way to the white sand beaches of the Caribbean while adventure and relaxation combine to create an unforgettable journey. Design your perfect tropical getaway through Zicasso’s Costa Rica trip planner. Get inspired and start planning your trip with an expert today.

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9  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $2,101

Open the treasure chest of Costa Rican wonders and indulge in its charms. On this best of Costa Rica tour you will be introduced and reintroduced to the endless luxuries of the country’s natural splendor. Glide through the trees and discover where the drifting sky brushes through the canopy. Witness the shimmering water of the sapphire Pacific Ocean and wander through the emerald rainforest. Indulge in natural hot springs and eat breakfast while watching steam rise from the crater of an active volcano. Find riches, quintessence, and majesty when you uncover Costa Rica.

8  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $1,867

Whether with your partner or your best friend, your children, or on your own, you will journey through this Costa Rican vacation that caters to the adventurer in everyone. Paddle down river through the Pacuare Gorge and kayak around the mangrove estuary on Damas Island. Scour volcanic summits and watch the steam rise directly out of the crater. Watch waves form perfect barrels or search beneath the ocean’s surface on a scuba or snorkeling excursion. Costa Rica offers captivating landscapes and treasured wildlife, amazing culture and unparalleled beauty all ready to be discovered.

10  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $2,335

The colors of Costa Rica are wildly ambitious, glowing emerald on the coastline and jade in the trees, even in the scarlet macaw and white-faced capuchin monkeys. The country’s wildlife comes from its natural wonders, offering you a panorama of nature’s grandeur. From wave breaks to simmering volcanoes, hot springs to thundering waterfalls, venture into the jungle and discover winding canals shaded by dense trees. Linger on the hillside and watch the early morning mist disappear. Costa Rica’s life is vibrant, luminous, wild, and blissfully colorful.

7  Day Custom Tour

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Costa Rica is a paradise in every way, known for its tropical weather and lush rainforests, charming people and captivating wildlife. On this 7-day family vacation, you will find something to please everyone. Zip line through the trees to please your adventurous son or horseback ride on the beach to appease your children’s storybook dreams. Trek through monkey-ridden jungles and dive into a coral decorated seafloor. From whale watching to bird watching you will find the blissful pleasure of a happy family on this seamlessly immersive paradise.

The moonlight reflects off of the Pacific Ocean. The current sweeps across the soft beach. The aroma of refreshing lemon zest drifts in the breeze. This is only a taste of the romantic luxury in Costa Rica. Each day is tailored to your wish, centered on the fabulous flavors and unique wildlife spread throughout the countryside. The landscape rises and falls with mountains and active volcanoes. The rainforest blocks out the sky and offers hidden waterfalls for you to discover. When you combine decadent food, fabulous luxuries, and unparalleled romance, you find captivating Costa Rica.

Experience rugged jungles, pristine beaches, and the surprising luxuries found deep in nature during your custom tailored best-of Costa Rica tour. The idyllic destination combines fascinating adventure with relaxing comforts alongside access to spectacular adventures that send you deep into the untamed wilderness. Whether flying on a zip-line, kayaking a secluded estuary, or wandering through the cloud forest canopy on aerial bridges, your spectacular Costa Rica vacation will embrace discovery through the excellence of eco-tourism while you search for spider monkeys or lounge on powdery white sands.

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Whether you’re after wildlife excursions in the jungle or surfing in the Pacific, Costa Rica promises limitless adventure and charm.

The country is a peaceful collaboration of culture and nature, be it ziplining over a forest canopy or lounging on pristine beaches.

The following information can help guide you in choosing the right trip, while offering insight into the most frequently asked questions about a vacation in Costa Rica.

The best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to May, giving you a broad window to plan your vacation around top experiences or your travel preferences.

Costa Rica is alive with wildlife, beautiful scenery, and authenticity. Preserved heritage fills museum galleries and spans secluded corners of the country, while waves crash against the beaches, birds flock to cloud forests, and sloths hide in dense jungle terrain.

Whether in the heat of the dry season or cooling rains of the wet season, use the information in the following guide to uncover Costa Rica’s seasonal personalities.

A destination as iconic as Costa Rica, from its luscious rainforests to aromatic coffee, is best explored when you are prepared with the best information.

Peruse the Costa Rica Travel Guide for everything from top experiences to transportation considerations.

When you are ready to learn more, contact a top travel specialist by submitting a Trip Request who will design an itinerary with you according to your preferences.

Costa Rica’s natural beauty influences its endless activities and enriching adventures, and our list of the top eight things to do there demonstrates the various ways you can embrace the country’s immersive splendor.

Whether walking on a trail, visiting a museum, or kayaking on the open Pacific, every activity feels like a grand adventure, enhanced by the seductive and surprising untamed nature that surrounds you.

Use the following information as a guide to learn more about Costa Rica’s essential things to do.

Travel Tips for Discerning Travelers

When discovering the seven best places to visit in Costa Rica, its name, “Rich Coast”, quickly becomes obvious in its gorgeous Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, and enchanting landscapes shaped by numerous active volcanoes.

Within eco-friendly foundations, Costa Rica offers you warm culture and rich wildlife in rainforests and on idyllic beaches.

Life is quickly summed up in pura vida, meaning “pure life”, with stunning microclimates that absorb you into everything from wilderness trails and lively animal life to coffee plantations and chocolate tastings.

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Planning a Costa Rica Vacation: Tips, Destinations, and Budgeting

Planning a vacation to Costa Rica can be an exciting but overwhelming task. With its diverse range of attractions, from pristine beaches to lush rainforests, Costa Rica offers something for every traveler. However, the plethora of options available for accommodations, transportation, tours, and activities can make the planning process daunting. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip, it is important to consider various factors and make informed decisions.

One of the first things to determine when planning a trip to Costa Rica is the best time to visit. The country experiences a rainy season and a dry season, with the high season being from December to February and the low season from May to November. The weather during the dry season is generally more favorable for outdoor activities. However, visiting during the rainy season can offer thinner crowds and cheaper rates for travelers on a budget. When planning your Costa Rica vacation, it's important to consider the following factors:

Weather patterns and best time to visit

Popular tourist destinations

Transportation options

Accommodation choices

Must-try activities and attractions

Safety tips

Budgeting and cost considerations

The easy way

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: A Seasonal Guide

Costa Rica, often hailed as the "Rich Coast," is a tropical paradise that beckons travelers year-round with its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and vibrant culture. Choosing the best time to visit this Central American gem largely depends on your preferences and the kind of experience you seek. From pristine beaches to lush rainforests, here's a seasonal guide to help you plan your perfect Costa Rican adventure.

High Season (December to April on the Pacific Slope)

Sunny Days: This period offers the driest and sunniest weather across the country, making it ideal for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Wildlife Sightings: Dry season reduces the foliage, making wildlife easier to spot in national parks. Festivals: Experience vibrant cultural celebrations, like Christmas and Easter week (Semana Santa), celebrated with gusto.

Crowds: High season attracts a considerable number of tourists, leading to crowded beaches and popular attractions. Higher Prices: Accommodation and tour prices tend to be at their peak during this time. Advance Booking: Securing accommodations and tours well in advance is crucial due to the increased demand.

Shoulder Seasons (May, June, and November)

Lower Prices: Enjoy reduced rates on accommodations and tours compared to the high season. Fewer Crowds: Experience a quieter, more peaceful Costa Rica with fewer tourists. Green Landscapes: May marks the start of the "green season" when the rain rejuvenates the country's landscapes.

Intermittent Rain: Rainfall may be sporadic, with sunny mornings and afternoon showers, especially in May. Fewer Festivals: May, June, and November have fewer cultural festivals and events.

Family High Season (July & August)

Lush Greenery: Experience Costa Rica at its greenest, with vibrant rainforests and flourishing vegetation. Whale Watching: Witness humpback whales during their migration season (August to October) on the Pacific coast. Turtle nesting: Turtles nest on te beaches of Costa Rica during the green season.

Rainfall: Expect rainfall, though often limited to late afternoon and evenings. The South Pacific will see more rain than the north Pacific. Hotel availability: The better hotels book full well in advance.

Rain Season on the Pacific Slope (September & October)

Lower Prices: Enjoy the lowest prices of the year for Pacific slope destinations. Availability: Stay nearly anywhere you like. Everything is Green: The landscape is beautiful at this time of the year. Peak Turtle & Whale Season: This is the best time of the year for sea turtle nesting and whalewatching.

Rain: It rain A LOT at this time of the year. Limited Accessibility: Some remote areas may become less accessible due to road conditions. Mud and Mosquitoes: Rain can lead to muddy trails and an increase in mosquito activity.

Caribbean Slope Destinations (September and October)

Driest Months: While the Pacific coast experiences heavy rains, the Caribbean slope is at its driest, making it the best time to visit destinations like Arenal Volcano and Tortuguero. Lower Crowds: Enjoy fewer tourists and more serene experiences. Unique Wildlife: Witness unique wildlife migrations and nesting events, such as sea turtle nesting in Tortuguero.

Off-Peak: Some Pacific coast destinations may not be at their best during these months. Limited Accessibility: Transportation to remote areas may be affected by rain. In conclusion, the best time to visit Costa Rica largely hinges on your preferences. If you seek dry weather and vibrant cultural festivities, the high season is perfect. Shoulder seasons offer a balance between lower prices and decent weather. The green season allows you to immerse yourself in lush landscapes while enjoying budget-friendly travel. For those interested in the Caribbean slope, September and October promise unique experiences and wildlife encounters. Ultimately, Costa Rica's welcoming spirit and natural beauty await you year-round, promising unforgettable memories and experiences.

Popular Tourist Destinations in Costa Rica

Discovering the enchantment of costa rica: popular tourist destinations.

Costa Rica, often referred to as the "Rich Coast," is a tropical haven brimming with natural wonders and diverse landscapes that beckon adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. This small Central American country is renowned for its rich biodiversity, lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture. Among its many treasures, several destinations stand out as must-visit places for an unforgettable Costa Rican experience. Let's embark on a virtual journey to explore some of the most popular tourist destinations in this remarkable country.

Arenal Volcano - Nature's Majestic Marvel Arenal Volcano is a natural wonder that once produced fiery lava flows and ash eruptions. Today, it offers a captivating backdrop to the lush rainforests surrounding it. Visitors can explore the Arenal Volcano National Park, which boasts a network of hiking trails leading to viewpoints and old lava fields. Don't miss the chance to soak in natural hot springs in the area, providing relaxation with a view of the majestic volcano. Monteverde - The Cloud Forest's Mystique Monteverde, a renowned cloud forest reserve, offers a mystical experience as you wander through mist-shrouded treetops. Explore suspension bridges that lead you through the forest canopy, providing a unique perspective on this enchanting ecosystem. Birdwatchersflock to Monteverde for the chance to spot resplendent quetzals and other exotic avian species. Manuel Antonio - Where Rainforest Meets the Pacific Manuel Antonio National Park is a coastal gem where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean. Hike along its trails to discover pristine beaches, lush jungles, and abundant wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and colorful tropical birds. Relax on the park's stunning beaches, and afterward, explore the nearby town of Manuel Antonio for vibrant nightlife and delectable cuisine. Tamarindo - Surf, Sun, and Serenity Tamarindo on the Pacific coast is a paradise for surfers and beach lovers. Its long stretches of golden sands and consistent waves make it a surfing haven. Beyond the surf, explore the nearby Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge to spot nesting leatherback turtles, or take a sunset cruise along the coast to witness the breathtaking natural beauty. Santa Teresa - A Bohemian Beachside Retreat Santa Teresa, located on the Nicoya Peninsula, has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a bohemian beachside haven. Surfers and yoga enthusiasts adore its laid-back vibe, pristine beaches, and lush landscapes. Explore the nearby Cabó Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve for a true wilderness adventure. Samara - Coastal Serenity and Adventure Samara offers a tranquil escape on the Nicoya Peninsula. Its crescent-shaped beach is perfect for relaxation, while the calm waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding area boasts exciting activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and nature excursions. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Caribbean Rhythms Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast exudes a vibrant Caribbean vibe. Enjoy the reggae rhythms, savor Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and explore the nearby Cahuita National Park for a glimpse of the coastal rainforest's beauty. Don't forget to relax on the stunning beaches. Tortuguero - Turtle Wonderland Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast is a unique destination known for its sea turtle nesting events. Witness the magic of sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs (seasonal). Explore the Tortuguero National Park, a network of canals and waterways where you can spot abundant wildlife. Osa Peninsula - Pristine Wilderness The Osa Peninsula is a remote wilderness teeming with biodiversity. Visit the Corcovado National Park , often called "the most biologically intense place on Earth," for unmatched wildlife encounters. Explore untouched rainforests, and discover hidden waterfalls for an adventure like no other. Costa Ballena - Whales and Beaches Costa Ballena offers a unique coastal experience where lush green hills meet the sea. It's a great place for whale watching, especially humpback whales. Explore the serene beaches, snorkel in vibrant coral reefs, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Ballena Marine National Park. Costa Rica is a land of boundless wonders, where each destination unveils a different facet of its natural beauty and cultural richness. Whether you seek thrilling adventures, serene beaches, or wildlife encounters, these popular destinations promise an extraordinary journey into the heart of this enchanting country. Explore, experience, and be enchanted by the "Rich Coast" of Costa Rica.When choosing your destinations in Costa Rica, consider your interests and preferences. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the rainforest, or immerse yourself in the local culture, there is a destination in Costa Rica that will suit your needs.

Transportation Options in Costa Rica

Navigating costa rica: your guide to transportation options.

Costa Rica, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse attractions, beckons travelers to explore its natural wonders. To make the most of your visit, it's essential to choose the right transportation option to suit your needs and preferences. In this guide, we'll compare the most common modes of transportation in Costa Rica: rental cars, domestic flights, private transfers, and shared shuttle transfers.

Rental Cars: Freedom on Four Wheels

Renting a car provides the freedom to explore Costa Rica at your own pace. It's an excellent option if you want to venture off the beaten path or visit remote destinations. However, there are a few things to consider: Cost: Rental car prices vary based on the type of vehicle and rental duration. Additionally, you'll need to budget for fuel and potential tolls. Road Conditions: While major highways are well-maintained, some rural roads can be challenging, especially during the rainy season. A four-wheel-drive vehicle may be necessary for certain regions. Parking: Parking in tourist areas can be limited and expensive. Be prepared for this additional cost. Navigation: A high-quality map with driving directions is your best friend. GPS systems can be unreliable in Costa Rica due to the terrain.

Domestic Flights: Quick Connections

For travelers looking to cover long distances quickly, domestic flights are a convenient option. They save time and offer spectacular aerial views of the country. Keep these factors in mind: Cost: Domestic flights can be relatively affordable, especially when booking in advance. Prices vary depending on the route and airline. Travel Time: Flight durations are short, but you'll need to factor in the time it takes to get to and from airports, security checks, and potential delays. Accessibility: Not all destinations in Costa Rica have airports, so domestic flights are limited to certain regions.

Private Transfers: Personalized Convenience

Private transfers offer a comfortable and hassle-free way to travel within Costa Rica. They're an excellent choice for families or groups seeking privacy and flexibility. Key considerations include: Cost: Private transfers are cost-effective, especially for groups of four or more. The price is usually calculated per vehicle, not per person. Travel Time: Private transfers are direct and efficient, minimizing travel time. You won't have to make multiple stops. Customization: You can choose your departure time and make stops along the way for sightseeing or meals.

Shared Shuttle Transfers: Budget-Friendly Group Travel

For 1 - 3 travelers, shared shuttle transfers can be a cost-effective option. However, there are some trade-offs: Cost: Shared shuttle transfers are budget-friendly, with prices typically per person. They are cost-effective for up to 3 travelers for most routes. For most routes, it becomes most cost efficient to switch to a private transfer with 4 or more travelers. Travel Time: Shared shuttles may make multiple stops to drop off passengers at different hotels. This can extend travel time compared to private transfers. Flexibility: Departure times are usually fixed and may not align with your preferred schedule.

Public Buses: The Budget Option

For travelers on a tight budget, public buses are the most economical choice. However, they come with their own set of challenges: Safety: While many routes are safe, theft can be an issue on crowded buses, so keep a close eye on your belongings. Travel Time: Buses take significantly longer than other transportation options, as they stop frequently and follow set routes. Comfort: Seating can be basic, and you may need to stand during crowded periods. In conclusion, the best transportation option in Costa Rica depends on your travel style and group size. Rental cars offer flexibility, while domestic flights save time on long journeys. Private transfers provide personalized convenience, while shared shuttles are budget-friendly for smaller groups. Public buses are the most economical but may not suit travelers seeking comfort and safety. Remember that once you reach four passengers, private transfers become more cost-effective, while shared shuttle transfers are typically more affordable for groups of three or fewer travelers. Consider these factors when planning your Costa Rican adventure to make the most of your visit to this beautiful country.

Accommodation Options in Costa Rica

Choosing the perfect accommodation in costa rica: your comprehensive guide.

Costa Rica's breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant culture make it a sought-after destination for travelers from around the world. To enhance your Costa Rican experience, selecting the right accommodation is crucial. In this guide, we'll explore the diverse accommodation options available in this tropical paradise.

1. Hotels: A Comfortable Retreat

Hotels are the most common type of accommodation in Costa Rica , catering to a wide range of budgets and preferences. Here's what to consider when booking a hotel: Budget: Costa Rica offers hotels for every budget, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels and family-owned inns. Location: Consider the proximity to your desired attractions. Beachfront hotels are popular along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, while city hotels provide easy access to urban adventures. Amenities: Evaluate the amenities offered, such as pools, restaurants, spa services, and tour arrangements. Reviews: Read guest reviews to gauge the overall experience and customer satisfaction.

2. Eco-Lodges: Immersed in Nature

For eco-conscious travelers seeking an immersive experience in Costa Rica's natural wonders, eco-lodges are a fantastic choice . These lodges are designed to blend harmoniously with their surroundings and often offer: Sustainability: Eco-lodges prioritize sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy, conserving water, and supporting local communities. Unique Locations: You'll find eco-lodges deep in the rainforest, along riverbanks, and in remote wilderness areas. Nature Activities: Many eco-lodges provide guided hikes, wildlife viewing, and eco-friendly adventures. Simplicity: Expect comfortable but minimalist accommodations that allow you to connect with nature.

3. Vacation Rentals: Home Away From Home

Vacation rentals, including condos, villas, and cabins , provide the comforts of home while allowing you to live like a local. Key factors to consider include: Space: Rentals offer ample space, making them ideal for families or groups. Privacy: Enjoy the privacy of your own space, often with private kitchens and living areas. Location: Rentals can be found in both urban and rural settings, depending on your preference. Flexibility, Cooking, & Cleaning: Cook your meals, set your own schedule, and live at your own pace but you will be the one cooking and cleaning while on vacation. Location: Rentals can be found in both urban and rural settings, depending on your preference. Few tour operators or shared shuttle transfers will pick you up or drop you off there, so you will need a rental car. Security Issues: Rental homes are often targeted by thieves and most do not have the full-time security of other accommodation types.

4. All-Inclusive Resorts: Stress-Free Getaways

All-inclusive resorts provide a hassle-free vacation experience with everything you need on-site. Here's what to expect: Inclusions: Typically, these resorts offer meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment in one package. Variety: Costa Rica boasts a range of all-inclusive options, from adults-only resorts to family-friendly properties. Beachfront Bliss: Many all-inclusives are located on stunning beaches, providing direct access to the sea. Activities: Look for resorts that offer amenities such as kayaks or snorkeling gear as part of the package. Cost: It nearly always costs more in Costa Rica to go to aan all-inclusive resort than to go to a nice 3-4 star non-all-inclusive resort and pay for food and drinks separately. Cookie-cutter: Most people visit Costa Rica to experience "pura vida". When you stay at an all-inclusive resort, you are staying at what could be considered as a "cookie-cutter" hotel just like anywhere else in the world. One of the most common comments we receive from clienbts who choose to go to an all-inclusive resort is that they "wish they had visited more of the country". Location: The majority of Costa Rica's all-inclusive resorts are located in the extremely hot and dry Guanacaste region where there is no rainforest, waterfalls, hot springs, river activities, etc.. It is, however, an ideal location for beach weather, making it a great combination with anotehr destination such as Arenal Volcano .

5. Treehouses and Unique Stays: Unforgettable Adventures

For a truly unique experience, consider staying in a treehouse , floating bungalow, or other unconventional accommodation. These options offer: Memorable Stays: Unconventional accommodations create lifelong memories. Secluded Escapes: Some treehouses and unique stays are tucked away in remote areas, perfect for those seeking solitude. Adventure: Expect out-of-the-ordinary amenities and experiences.

6. Hostels: Budget-Friendly Social Hubs

Hostels are ideal for budget-conscious travelers, solo adventurers, and those seeking a social atmosphere. Here's what you'll find: Affordability: Hostels offer dormitory-style rooms at a fraction of the cost of hotels. Community: Meet fellow travelers and join group activities or tours organized by the hostel. Variety: Some hostels provide private rooms and more amenities, bridging the gap between budget and comfort.

7. Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs): Charming Retreats

B&Bs offer a cozy and intimate atmosphere , often with personalized service and local touches. Consider: Hospitality: Enjoy warm and attentive service from your hosts. Local Flavor: Savor homemade breakfasts featuring local ingredients. Character: B&Bs are typically housed in historic or unique properties, adding to the charm.

In conclusion, Costa Rica offers an array of accommodation options to suit every traveler's preferences and budget. Whether you prefer the comforts of hotels, the eco-consciousness of lodges, the independence of vacation rentals, the all-inclusive convenience of resorts, the uniqueness of treehouses, the social aspect of hostels, or the intimacy of B&Bs, there's a perfect place for you to stay in this captivating country. Take your time to research and choose the accommodation that best complements your Costa Rican adventure.

Exploring Paradise: The Best Activities and Attractions in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, often referred to as the "Rich Coast," lives up to its name with its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and a plethora of activities for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. From hiking to volcanoes to thrilling canopy ziplines, here's a guide to the best activities and attractions that make Costa Rica a dream destination for travelers. 1. Hiking to Arenal Volcano or Rincon de la Vieja National Park Costa Rica boasts some of the world's most impressive volcanoes. Arenal Volcano, located in Arenal Volcano National Park, offers excellent hiking opportunities with trails that wind through lush rainforests and provide panoramic views of the volcano. Similarly, Rincon de la Vieja National Park offers hikes leading to bubbling mud pots, sulfur springs, and the captivating Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. 2. Exploring Hanging Bridges Costa Rica's hanging bridges, such as those found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, provide a unique perspective of the forest canopy. These suspension bridges offer breathtaking views of the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in the lush rainforests. 3. Thrilling Canopy Ziplining For the adrenaline junkies, canopy ziplining in Costa Rica is a must-do activity. Zip lines crisscross the country, but places like Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio offer some of the most exhilarating experiences. Soar through the treetops and enjoy the thrill of gliding amidst the jungle. 4. Boat Tours in Tortuguero or Cano Negro Tortuguero National Park is famous for its extensive network of canals and boat tours, which allow visitors to witness nesting sea turtles and explore the rich wetlands. Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is another boat tour gem, known for its abundant birdlife and biodiversity. 5. Wildlife Hikes at Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park, or Cahuita National Park Costa Rica is a wildlife lover's paradise. Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park, and Cahuita National Park are renowned for their diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and vibrant bird species. Guided hikes offer the best chance to spot these creatures. 6. Learning to Surf or Surfing in Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, or Dominical Costa Rica's Pacific coast is famous for its consistent waves, making it an ideal place to learn to surf or catch some world-class breaks. Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Dominical are popular surf towns that offer lessons for beginners and challenges for experienced surfers. 7. Snorkeling or Diving at Cano Island Cano Island, located off the Osa Peninsula, is a marine wonderland. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving. Explore vibrant coral reefs and encounter a variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, and colorful fish. 8. Soaking in the Hot Springs at Arenal Volcano After a day of adventure, unwind in the natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano. These soothing geothermal pools are surrounded by lush vegetation and provide a relaxing experience with views of the volcano. 9. Whitewater Rafting on the Rio Pacuare, Rio Balsa, or Rio Savegre Costa Rica is famous for its thrilling whitewater rafting experiences. The Rio Pacuare, Rio Balsa, and Rio Savegre offer different levels of rafting adventures, from gentle floats to challenging rapids. Guides ensure a safe and exciting journey. 10. Canyoning Down Rainforest Waterfalls Canyoning is an exhilarating activity that involves rappelling down waterfalls. Costa Rica's rainforests are filled with cascading waterfalls, and canyoning tours provide an adrenaline rush as you descend these natural wonders. 11. Visiting La Leona Waterfall or Rio Celeste Waterfall La Leona Waterfall, near Corcovado National Park, is a hidden gem tucked away in the rainforest. Rio Celeste Waterfall, within Tenorio Volcano National Park, is famous for its vibrant blue hue, created by a unique chemical reaction in its waters. Both are worth the hike. 12. Offshore Sport Fishing Costa Rica's Pacific coast offers world-class sport fishing opportunities. Anglers can target a variety of species, including marlin, sailfish, and tuna, on full-day or half-day fishing charters. Costa Rica's natural beauty and adventure opportunities make it a top destination for travelers seeking both excitement and relaxation. Whether you're exploring its lush rainforests, enjoying thrilling activities, or simply unwinding on pristine beaches, this Central American paradise has something for everyone. Plan your Costa Rican adventure today and experience the magic of this eco-friendly wonderland. When planning your activities in Costa Rica, consider your interests, fitness level, and the region you'll be visiting. Some activities may require a certain level of physical fitness or have age restrictions, so it's important to check in advance. By researching and planning your activities ahead of time, you can make the most of your Costa Rica vacation.

Safety Tips for Traveling in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is generally a safe country for travelers, but it is still important to take precautions to ensure your safety. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying signs of wealth, as petty theft can occur in crowded areas. It is recommended to use reliable transportation services and avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas. Here are some safety tips for traveling in Costa Rica:

• Keep your valuables secure and be mindful of your surroundings.
• Use reputable transportation services, especially for late-night travels.
• Stay in well-lit and populated areas, especially at night.
• Be cautious of your belongings when visiting popular tourist sites.
• Follow local laws and regulations, and respect the culture and customs of the country.

While Costa Rica is considered safe for travelers, it is always better to be prepared and take necessary precautions to ensure a worry-free trip. By staying alert, using common sense, and taking care of your personal belongings, you can minimize any potential risks and enjoy a safe and memorable vacation in Costa Rica.

Budgeting and Cost Considerations for a Costa Rica Vacation

When planning a vacation to Costa Rica, it is important to consider your budget and manage your expenses accordingly. Costa Rica tends to be more expensive than other Central American countries, so setting a budget is crucial. Researching costs for accommodations, transportation, food, and activities can help you allocate your funds effectively.

Here are some budgeting tips for a Costa Rica vacation:

• Compare prices for accommodations and choose options that fit your budget. 
• Eat at local restaurants and try street food for affordable dining options.
• Consider taking shared shuttles instead of private transportation if you have 3 or fewer travelers. Public buses are the most affordable option, though inconvenient endless secure.
• Book tours and activities in advance to compare prices and find the best deals.
• Explore free or low-cost activities, such as hiking or visiting public beaches.
• Be sure to factor in final costs, which include extra person charges, cleaning fees, taxes (13% for most purchases), fuel charges, etc.
• All-inclusive resorts are not a way to save money. Compared to paying for an average 3-4 star hotel with a breakfast plan and paying for meals and drinks separately, all-inclusives are significantly more expensive, especially during high-season travel periods. 

By carefully planning and budgeting for your Costa Rica vacation, you can make the most of your funds and have a memorable experience without breaking the bank. It's important to remember that the cost of your trip will depend on your travel style, accommodation choices, and the activities you choose to participate in.

Comparison Shopping

When comparing prices for your Costa Rica adventure, keep these key points in mind: Accommodations: Ensure you're comparing the same type of accommodations, and check if they offer similar amenities. A hotel with hot springs can save you on a hot springs tour, and an all-inclusive resort versus one with breakfast only can make a big difference. Tours: Verify that you're comparing the same tours. Tour prices can vary significantly, so this is crucial. Also, consider whether the tour operators are ICT certified and insured for your safety. Transportation: Understand the difference between private and shuttle transportation. Private transport is for your party only, while shuttle transport includes other clients. Consider comfort, price, and service. Opt for private transportation for airport transfers to avoid potential problems. Rental Car: Compare the same car models and transmission types. The choice of transmission can significantly affect the rental cost. Check if a high-quality map with driving directions or GPS is included, as navigating Costa Rica's terrain can be challenging. Meals & Drinks: Compare the number of meals included in your package. Restaurants in tourist areas can be expensive, so this is an important consideration. If you're not staying at an all-inclusive resort, find out if your hotel provides breakfast or offers a meal plan. Additionally, inquire if drinks are included at any of your accommodations. Service Ensure you're dealing with a legitimate company: Look for certifications like ICT, Canatur, and BBB, and check for positive reviews and awards. Choose a company located in Costa Rica for local expertise and 24/365 emergency assistance. Communication is key, so opt for a company that speaks your language and understands your needs. Flexibility is essential, so make sure the company can adapt to your budget and preferences. Price: Scrutinize the pricing for any potential hidden fees. Sometimes, a lower price may seem appealing, but it may be missing crucial components. Be aware of sales and turismo tax, which can add 13% or more to your trip's cost. Additionally, watch out for credit card acceptance fees, which can add 7-10% to your total cost. Choose a company that offers toll-free assistance, saving you on international calls and providing convenience. Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it usually is. Read the fine print and ensure everything you need is included in the price. At Pacific Trade Winds, we prioritize value and transparency. Our pricing policy means no surprises, with taxes and fees included. We're committed to delivering a comprehensive and stress-free Costa Rica experience, from airport pickup to drop-off. Don't just take our word for it; compare with other Costa Rica travel sites, and you'll see the unbeatable value we offer. Our track record with the Costa Rica Tourism Board, Costa Rica National Chamber of Tourism, Better Business Bureau, and countless positive reviews attest to our reliability and quality.

The Advantage of Booking Your Costa Rica Vacation With Pacific Trade Winds

Let me highlight the top five reasons why Pacific Trade Winds (PTW) is your best choice for booking a Costa Rica vacation: Flexible and Secure Booking: We offer convenient and risk-free Lifelong Deposits, along with deferred, interest-free payment plans. Plus, most of our vacations include complimentary rescheduling coverage if you notify us more than 7 days in advance, providing you with added flexibility and peace of mind. Expert Guidance: Our dedicated team is here to assist you with international travel requirements. Our specialized department will guide you through all necessary preparations for your trip. Once you're in Costa Rica, our 24/7 concierge service ensures you're never alone, making your journey seamless and stress-free. Competitive Pricing: We have price-matching agreements with most of the hotels we work with. If you find a lower advertised rate, let us know, and we can almost always offer a better deal. Combined with our exceptional customer service, we are the better choice overall. Exceptional Reputation: We are proud recipients of the prestigious Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor every year we were eligible, earning us TripAdvisor Hall of Fame status . We hold certifications for Sustainable Tourism (CST) and are recognized by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) for outstanding business practices. Thousands of exceptional reviews from reputable third-party travel review sites further strengthen our reputation. Peace of Mind: With PTW, you're not just booking a vacation; you're investing in a worry-free, unforgettable experience. We prioritize your satisfaction and safety at every step, ensuring your Costa Rica adventure is everything you've dreamed of and more.

Planning a vacation to Costa Rica requires careful consideration and research. By determining the best time to visit, choosing popular destinations, exploring transportation options, selecting accommodations, and budgeting wisely, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience in this tropical paradise. Seeking assistance from a travel agent or expert can also provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the planning process. If that agency is Pacific Trade Winds, you also gain a plethora of additional benefits and it is also often more cost-effective. With proper planning and preparation, your Costa Rica vacation is sure to be a remarkable adventure.

Costa Rica Travel Planning

Planning a trip can be a daunting task but with Costa Rica travel planning, you can ensure a smooth and memorable vacation. Costa Rica vacation planning involves considering factors such as the best time to visit, popular tourist destinations, transportation options, and accommodation choices. Working out your Costa Rica travel itinerary is essential to make the most of your trip, including must-try activities like hiking in the rainforest, zip-lining, and visiting the Arenal Volcano. A comprehensive Costa Rica travel guide can help you explore popular tourist destinations like Tamarindo, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio National Park. Knowing the top Costa Rica travel destinations is key to planning a vacation that caters to your preferences and interests. Planning your Costa Rica travel budget is crucial for managing your expenses, with tips such as eating at local restaurants, using public transportation, and booking activities in advance. A Costa Rica travel checklist can help ensure you don't miss out on any important aspects of your trip, from packing the right gear to booking accommodations. For anyone visiting for the first time, reliable Costa Rica travel advice would be to use reputable transportation services and be cautious in crowded areas. For a successful trip, consider these Costa Rica travel recommendations: visit during the dry season, plan your itinerary in advance, and try local cuisines.

Unsure of what to do? Let us make you a free custom trip plan!

Costa Rica Vacation Planning Guide for the Perfect Trip

Organize your dream vacation to Costa Rica with this step-by-step planning guide.

Together we will….

• Check entry requirements
• Plan your itinerary
• Figure out your transportation
• Secure amazing Costa Rica travel discounts

Background Info On Costa Rica

The main language is Spanish. Most people in tourism speak some English, but some basic Spanish is always helpful.

The main currency is Costa Rican colones. US dollars are also widely accepted.

110 volt (same as the US)

International Airports

There are two international airports in the country. These are Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose and Liberia International Airport (LIR) in Liberia.

Popular Places to Visit

Manuel Antonio | Tamarindo | Monteverde | La Fortuna

Must Do Activities

zip lining | exploring national parks | surfing | relax on beaches

Sun Rise/ Sun Set

Sunrise: between 5:15am and 5:45am

Sunset: between 5:30pm and 6pm

Hi! We’re Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er)

We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and since 2016 we have lived in sunny Costa Rica. Now we spend our days roaming the country to bring you the very best in Costa Rica travel here on Costa Rica Vibes. Want the whole crazy story?

Before You Do Anything Else…

• Join our Costa Rica Vibes Travel Tips Facebook Group
• Join Our Email List and Get the Complete Costa Rica Travel Planning Packet

Grab a Free Copy of the Costa Rica Planning Guide

Step 1: Decide When and For How Long You Will Visit Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a distinct rainy season and dry season.

The dry season typically runs from mid-December until the end of April.

The mid-rainy season is from early May until end of July.

And August through December can bring some very rainy weather.

Most people like to visit during the dry season, but every season has its pros and cons.

We created a guide to the weather in Costa Rica to help you get a better idea of when is a good time for you to visit.

Step 2: Establish Your Budget

The second step to planning your Costa Rica vacation is to come up with a rough budget.

I’m not saying you need to come up with a strict budget, but we like to decide which things we are willing to splurge on and what we will be a bit more budget-friendly about.

It really helps to sit down with your travel partners and discuss their expectations so you can be on the same page ahead of time.

Some things to think about are:

• Accommodations (do you want to save money by staying in budget-friendly places or are you planning to book more high-end accommodations?)
• Food (will you stay in a place where you can cook most of your food or do you plan to eat at restaurants every day)
• Activities (would you like to do things like zip lining and rafting or will you keep it more budget-friendly with visiting beaches and hiking
• Transportation (do you have the budget to rent a car or mostly take public buses?).

I get more into all these details further on in this article, but to start, just discuss your general expectations.

Check out our guide to currency and money in Costa Rica for more details

Step 3: Choose Your Places to Visit

There are just so many amazing places in Costa Rica that it can be overwhelming to narrow down which spots to visit during your trip.

To help you out we created an entire collection of  Destination Guides .

These detailed guides will tell you everything you need to know about all areas of the country including weather, transportation tips, hotel suggestions, and great activities for all budgets.

We suggest just getting an idea of some places that appeal to you first. In the next step we will book your flight and which airport you fly into will help determine your itinerary and destinations.

Clickable Destination Map

Our Favorite Destinations

Some of the places we love to visit

Manzanillo, Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Visitors Guide

Montezuma, Costa Rica: A Complete Guide to Planning a Visit

La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Complete Jungle Town Travel Guide

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Guide to a Relaxed Beach Paradise

San Gerardo de Dota: Cloud Forest and Birdwatching Paradise

Playa Hermosa Costa Rica: A Family-Friendly Beach Town

Mal Pais, Costa Rica: A Peaceful Fishing Village

Uvita, Costa Rica: Complete Relaxed Beach Town Travel Guide

Cahuita Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Town Guide

Step 4: create your costa rica vacation itinerary.

Time to make a trip plan!

We suggest doing this in combination with the next section (booking your flight) so you can simultaneously decide which Costa Rica international airport is best for you to fly into. 

We created a whole section of itinerary ideas for one, two, and three-week Costa Rica trips. These will make a good foundation for your vacation.

Travel Tip – It is best to pick about two destinations for a one-week trip plan. We suggest one beach location and one jungle spot for a great intro to the country.

Step 5: Book Your Flights to Costa Rica

There are two international airports to consider for your vacation to Costa Rica.

The most popular airport is located in San Jose . From here it is easy to get almost anywhere in the country because it is so centrally located. 

This airport is called Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

The other international airport is located in the northwest corner of the country near the city of Liberia. This airport is called Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR).

This is a great place to fly into if you want a short drive to the beautiful Guanacaste Province beaches and aren’t as focused on seeing the Caribbean Coast or Southern Pacific . 

We almost always book flights on Skyscanner . They typically have the best deals and are easy to navigate.

Travel Tip – Make sure you book your flight to airport code SJO if flying in to San Jose. The full name is Juan Santamaria International Airport. There is also a San Jose International Airport in California and, yes, we have heard about people flying to the wrong location.  😉 

Find Your Flight

Step 6: Book Costa Rica Hotels

There are so many accommodation options in Costa Rica it can be difficult to even know how to begin finding a spot.

It is possible to find everything here from hostels to all-inclusive luxury resorts.

To help you out, we first suggest checking out our Costa Rica hotel page . It covers all topics from planning your honeymoon to great places to stay near the airports.

Also, if you are planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica, we have a Destination Wedding Guide to help you organize that.

Step 7: Book Your Transportation in Costa Rica

You might find that you use a variety of ways to get around during your trip to Costa Rica.

Here are all the transportation options you have to consider.

The most convenient way to get around in Costa Rica. 

A car will allow you to take many fun day trips without depending on tours with transportation. 

However, be aware that some of the rental car companies here will charge you a much higher rate than you are originally quoted online.

We always suggest renting your car through our favorite local car company called Adobe. They are upfront with their costs, dependable, and just an all around excellent company.

They have given us a 10% discount plus some other great perks to pass on to you .

Adobe Rent-a-Car

• 10% discount for Costa Rica Vibes readers
• Free second driver
• 0% deductible on Liability Protection Insurance
• Excellent customer service
• New fleet of well-maintained vehicles
• Private Shuttle

Private shuttles are perfect for those of you who are traveling with a family or group of friends. 

We love this option for destination wedding groups, groups renting a villa, groups staying in resorts, and for those of you who don’t feel comfortable driving a long distance in Costa Rica.

One thing we suggest to those of you who want a rental car but don’t want to drive from the airport to your destination is to take a private shuttle to your destination and then rent a car once at your destination.

We suggest Adobe Transfer for all your private shuttle needs.

This company is run by the same great team that operates Adobe Rent a Car. They will take great care of you.

BOOK YOUR PRIVATE SHUTTLE HERE

Costa Rica Taxi

If you need to get around in the town you are staying in or need a ride that is an hour or less from the airport, a taxi is generally the cheapest and most convenient option. 

Just be aware that you need to make sure you are taking a legal registered taxi. You will know because the taxi will be red with a yellow triangle on the drivers and passengers side door. 

This is super important because fake taxi drivers have been known to scam tourists.

If you are flying into the Liberia airport and need to get to your hotel in this area (Papagayo, Coco, Hermosa, Tamarindo, Flamingo) we suggest reserving your taxi with our favorite registered taxi drivers.

This family of four adult brothers and their father all operate as legal registered taxi drivers in Costa Rica. They will take such great care of you. 

Because we like them so much and they like us, they have given us a $10 taxi discount to pass on to you.

Reserve Your Liberia Area Taxi

Public Bus in Costa Rica

Public bus is by far the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but it is definitely not the most convenient.

Most busses pass through San Jose and Liberia so, if you are visiting multiple destinations it can be difficult to find good connections.

The one time we definitely suggest the public bus is if you are going from San Jose down to Panama.

The bus is not the most comfortable. Actually last time I took this bus the inside temperature gauge said it was 96° F …and I believe it!

But, it will bring you right to the border for an easy crossing experience. 

Domestic Flight

The main domestic airline in Costa Rica is Sansa .

I’ve done some comparison and it seems that booking directly through their website will give you the best rate. 

Travel Tip – We have a Guide to Transportation that goes into further detail on all the transportation options.

BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%

The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes…..

– A 10% DISCOUNT  

– FREE SECOND DRIVER 

– FREE ROOF RACKS TO USE 

– 0% DEDUCTIBLE ON LIABILITY PROTECTION

– DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA

Step 8: Plan Fun Things to Do

One of the many great things about Costa Rica is that there is literally something for everyone at every budget and interest. 

If you like adventure, you’re in luck. 

If you want to relax on the beach, the country has plenty of that as well.

As I mentioned above, we suggest one beach and one jungle destination for a week-long vacation. If you do that, you can then pick both fun jungle activities (such as zip lining and walking on hanging bridges) and fun beach activities (such as surfing and catamaran tour with snorkeling). 

The best of both worlds!

We want to help you narrow down and plan your dream activities on your Costa Rica vacation. So, we created a guide to all the things to do in Costa Rica . This guide walks through activities in every destination and for all budgets. 

We also provide a lot of tips on how to book activities with reputable companies and money-saving tips.

We also suggest checking out:

The Complete Guide to Costa Rica National Parks

Guide to All the Beaches in Costa Rica

Guide to Exploring Costa Rican Waterfalls

Book Your Costa Rica Vacation Through Our Partners

• Rent a Car – Save 10%
• Book a Flight
• Book a Hotel
• Plan Activities
• Travel Insurance

Step 9: Plan What You Want to Eat

Are you a foodie? I (Sarah) tend to organize all of the places I want to eat before I go anywhere. Thomas thinks I’m crazy.

One of the many things I love about Costa Rica is the sheer volume of food and drink opportunities.

I think that when you are here you should definitely try some traditional food. My personal favorite is a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of Gallo Pinto. 

But, when you get tired of rice and beans, you will have no problem finding tons of other great things such as fresh fish and dishes from almost any culture. 

Another fun thing to do is go to an open-air restaurant at sunset on the Pacific coast to enjoy a dinner with a view.

I also think you should try some interesting fruits while on your Costa Rica vacation. There are so many fruits you’ve probably never even seen before.

Ok, now I’m just rambling about all the great food you should eat.

Check out the guide to food in Costa Rica for all the info on grocery stores, beach bars, restaurants, exotic fruit, and more!

Step 10: Purchase Travel Insurance

When traveling, it is always a good idea to have travel insurance. Travel insurance provides coverage for health care, delayed trips, lost luggage, and more.

When we first moved to Costa Rica, Thomas insisted I purchase travel insurance until we had our residency, and I’m so happy I did!

Within the first week of moving here, the left side of my face swelled up to the point that I couldn’t even open my eye. I went to a few doctors who had no idea what it was.

Finally, I did my own research and discovered mango trees have the same oil as poison ivy.

I’m originally a New Englander and learned at an early age that my body does not react well to poison ivy.

Well, here I was in Costa Rica and had picked mangos from a mango tree a few days before.

So, with my discovery, I went back to the doctor who confirmed my suspicions and was able to prescribe me steroids to heal the mango reaction.

I then submitted all my receipts and was completely reimbursed by my travel insurance. And, now I avoid mango trees. 🙂

Purchase Your Travel Insurance Through Heymondo

We created a guide to safety in Costa Rica to tell you all about safety from wildlife, natural disasters, what to do if you get injured, crime etc.

Step 11: Pack for your Costa Rica Vacation

Yeay! It’s time to pack! That means you are almost done planning your trip to Costa Rica!

Keep in mind that what you need to pack for Costa Rica will vary based on what time of year you are traveling, which parts of the country you are visiting, and what time of trip you are planning.

Mountain destinations such as Monteverde can get rather cool while beach destinations are bound to be hot.

Packing for a trip of hiking will be very different that a trip to luxury resorts.

Check out our guide to Costa Rica packing for everything you need.

Step 12: Entry in to Costa Rica

Yeay!!! You have officially planned your entire Costa Rica vacation.

Just to make your travel day a bit easier we suggest you read our guide to entry requirements . It explains the whole border control process and what you can expect.

And feel free to leave any questions you have about planning a trip to Costa Rica in the comment section below. We are happy to help you out!

We hope you have an amazing vacation in Costa Rica filled with adventure, relaxation, beaches, and jungle vibes!

¡Pura Vida!

A Few Costa Rica Vacation Must Know Tips

• The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish, but most people in tourism speak some English
• There are no street addresses in Costa Rica. You will need to depend on putting the name of places into your GPS.
• The main currency is colones. We have a guide to currency to help you figure out the best way to pay here. 
• Despite what some people seem to think, Costa Rica is not an island. It is sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama plus, there is a beautiful Pacific and Caribbean coast.
• The name for Costa Rican people is ticos (for men) and tica (for women).
• Pura Vida is the motto for life here. Directly translated it means “pure life.” Here it is used as a greeting and to say “all is good.”
• The lifestyle here is extremely relaxed. Just note that most likely some of your Costa Rica vacation plans won’t go as planned. Try to roll with it and adapt this chilled out outlook on life for a bit. You can read our guide to Costa Rican culture for more info

Costa Rica Vacation FAQ

Is a costa rica vacation expensive.

Costa Rica is considered the most expensive country in Central America. That being said, it is possible to stick to a budget by traveling at off-peak times, staying at less fancy hotels, and by doing more budget-friendly activities such as exploring the beaches and national parks.

Where is the best place to go for a Costa Rica vacation?

In all honesty, all of Costa Rica is amazing for a vacation. Most people choose to visit one beach and one jungle destination for a one week trip. We suggest Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna if flying into San Jose Airport.

What is the best time of year to go on a Costa Rica vacation?

The dry season in Costa Rica runs from mid-December through mid-April. This is the most popular time to plan a Costa Rica vacation. However, this is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit.

Is it safe to go to Costa Rica right now?

Yes, Costa Rica is generally a safe destination. Your main concern for safety should be petty theft. Keep an eye on your belongings and don’t carry large amounts of cash.

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Hi, This website has been fantastic. My family is hoping to come to CR in Feb. After two weeks of site seeing my husband will have to return to the USA for work. I am thinking of staying another week with our 4 young children. Do you think this is a safe idea? I would have to navigate on my own to get groceries, drive to parks and get us to the airport..

Hi Jessica. I’m so happy to hear our site has been helpful for you! I think you will be completely fine. Which area are you thinking of staying for the last week alone with the kids? I’m happy to give you tips for activities that you can do with them and easy grocery stores and stuff.

Hello! Thanks for all the information! I have a question about alcohol…if we bring up to the 5 liters, does it really save us money? For example, are the vodka prices in the US cheaper than CR?

Alcohol is definitely cheaper in the US because of the high import tax here, but they actually just opened a duty free shop after you go through Customs to enter at the San Jose airport. I didnt pay too much attention to the prices last time I went through there but if you dont want to lug stuff with you the prices at the duty free shop are probably pretty good. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions as you plan your trip. 🙂

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!

My name is Aubrey and I will be moving to Playa Samara in Costa Rica in May. I am a type 1 diabetic and I am worried about the insulin and the shipping of supplies. I love this blog and I have learned a lot to help myself prepare. Do you have any insights on meds?

Thank you! Aubrey

Hi Aubrey! You’ll love living in Samara! I think you might have a difficult time shipping things in. First off, it’s hard to know if things will actually come on a normal schedule. For example, we have had my family ship us things from the US and sometimes it takes two weeks, sometimes two months, sometimes it never comes at all. Plus, with medicine, even if you have a prescription, you never know if it will get stopped because sending medicine is technically not legal. Your best bet is probably to find a pharmacy here that can supply you. Pharmacies here are great and carry most medicine you would have in the states. Often you dont even need a prescription. If you rather get things from your home country because of insurance purposes, I’d say your best bet is to see if you can get an extended supply. Sorry I can’t be more helpful on this topic. I dont know a lot about it, but I will say avoid trying to ship anything into Costa Rica. It’ll just be way too much of a headache. Let me know if you have more questions as you plan your move!

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Planning A Trip To Costa Rica? READ THIS FIRST!

Home » Introductory Costa Rica Trip Planning Resources » Planning A Trip To Costa Rica? READ THIS FIRST!

Last updated on September 7th, 2023 at 01:45 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)

Written by Nikki Solano

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Our sister site, pura vida eh inc., has  discounts for costa rica tours and activities . con mucho gusto (you’re welcome) and pura vida.

Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS:

This is the biggest Costa Rica trip-planning mistake you can make

The overdone top-down approach to costa rica trip planning, what’s wrong with the traditional top-down approach, the innovative bottom-up approach to costa rica trip planning, what’s great about our bottom-up approach, how to get started with the bottom-up approach, in the end, it’s your choice.

You’re familiar with the saying “ Hindsight is 20/20 ” right? We all know that mistakes are obvious to pinpoint after they’ve been made, but what if there was a way to have clear vision before taking action to best avoid erring at all? Take Costa Rica trip planning, for example. We bet you’d rather return home with fewer travel regrets than fond memories, and if that’s true, you’ll want to put a considerable amount of time and energy into building an efficient Costa Rica trip plan before you travel. While our Costa Rica Itinerary articles (linked below) can help you accomplish that task, another way to steer clear of travel regret is to remain cognizant of the biggest Costa Rica trip planning mistake we see travelers make: selecting tours and activities AFTER destinations, accommodations, and transportation services.

Looking to build a custom Costa Rica itinerary? Don’t miss our related blog posts for planning tips and itinerary templates: Costa Rica Itinerary: 5 days in Costa Rica (4 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 8 days in Costa Rica (7 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 10 days in Costa Rica (9 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 12 days in Costa Rica (11 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 15 days in Costa Rica (14 nights)

If you’re scratching your head while reading the last sentence of the above paragraph, trying to understand why selecting tours and activities after destinations, accommodations, and transportation services is considered a fault, you’re not alone. Our recommendation is virtually the opposite of what other Costa Rica “resources” will tell you, and what travel agents selling any country in the world will tell you, so it’s natural to be confused. Because it’s easy for tourism companies, travel agents, tour operators, and other booking agents to help you pick cities or towns first, book hotels (and transportation services to and from those hotels) afterward, and deal with tours and activities later, hordes of travelers get funneled through that process, which we call the “top-down approach to Costa Rica trip planning.” Although that’s the most popular approach to Costa Rica trip-planning, it doesn’t always deliver time- and cost-efficient trips. To get the absolute most out of your vacation, you’re better off taking what we believe—and have spent nearly 15 years defending—is a much better approach: our self-titled “bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip planning”.

The top-down approach to Costa Rica trip planning is simple to understand because it’s the same approach to trip planning that’s been used for decades . Once you’ve decided which country to visit (i.e., Costa Rica), this particular approach suggests you plan your trip in the following order:

• Select the in-country destinations you’d like to visit (e.g., San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio).
• Select the accommodations you’d like to stay at (e.g., Hotel Presidente in San Jose, the Tabacon Resort near La Fortuna, the Monteverde Villa Lodge in Monteverde, and Hotel San Bada in Manuel Antonio).
• Select the transportation services you’d like to use to travel between destinations (e.g., private transfer services between San Jose and La Fortuna and La Fortuna and Monteverde, and a shared shuttle service between Monteverde and Manuel Antonio).
• Select the tours and activities you’d like to participate in while exploring each destination (e.g., a white-water rafting tour on the Pacuare River while in La Fortuna, a horseback riding tour while in Monteverde, and a tour through the Manuel Antonio National Park while in Manuel Antonio).

Here’s a quick diagram to help you visualize the top-down approach to Costa Rica trip-planning.

Here’s a list of top Costa Rica travel regrets we want to help you avoid:

• I wish I had more time to experience Costa Rica. / I wish I had built a more time-efficient Costa Rica itinerary that provided more time to participate in tours and activities.
• I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time traveling between destinations. / I wish I had built a more time-efficient Costa Rica itinerary that made better use of travel time between destinations.
• I wish I had saved more money on my trip to Costa Rica. / I wish I had made better use of city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours and other complementary transportation services that would have eliminated the cost of some transportation services.

The biggest problem with the top-down approach to Costa Rica trip planning is that it binds you to specific areas of Costa Rica before you’ve determined if those areas are worth visiting. When you select destinations and accommodations early on, you significantly narrow your tour and activity selection to only those experiences that are accessible from your chosen cities/towns and hotels.

If you’re like most travelers, you’ll give yourself a set number of days/nights at each destination and then plug in tours and activities for those days later. But what if, after determining which tours and activities at each destination interest you the most, you learn that you’ve given yourself too much or too little time in one place? If you’ve already committed to accommodation and transportation service reservations, not to mention an entire Costa Rica itinerary plan, changes can be a pain, frustrating, and costly.

It can be instinctual to schedule a vacation in a way that gives you roughly the same amount of time at each destination you plan to visit. But if you do that, we bet you’ll either end up with wasted itinerary time (the product of giving yourself too much time in an area of Costa Rica that doesn’t provide enough experiences that interest you) or find yourself having to choose between two or more experiences that interest you (the product of giving yourself too little time in an area of Costa Rica that provides many experiences that interest you) , ultimately limiting your Costa Rica experience overall. Not all Costa Rica destinations are created equal, so the amount of time you should spend at each destination should vary too.

It’s also important to note that the top-down approach to Costa Rica trip planning can produce a more expensive trip , especially with respect to transportation costs. This is because opportunities to take advantage of free transportation services are often missed when tours and activities are researched late in the trip-planning process . One way to save money is to use city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours to get around Costa Rica. (To learn more about city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours, please see our related blog post: Costa Rica Tour Transportation: How To Use Tours To Travel Between Destinations .) Another way is to select accommodations that fall within tour operators’ designated pick-up and drop-off zones so you don’t get stuck having to pay extra for tour transportation to and from your hotel. (For more information about pick-up and drop-off fees please see our related blog post: Costa Rica Tour Transportation: Hotel Pick-Ups And Drop-Offs .) If you follow the top-down approach to Costa Rica trip planning, which considers tours and activities last, you may not realize the amount of tour-related monetary savings that are available to you until after you’ve already booked (and possibly paid for) transportation services and hotels.

In stark contrast to the top-down approach, our bottom-up approach recommends that you prioritize tours and activities, and plan your trip in the following order:

• Select the tours and activities you’d like to participate in according to your interests (i.e., a white-water rafting tour on the Pacuare River, a horseback riding tour, and a tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park).
• Determine if any of your preferred tours or activities are: a) city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours (i.e., tours that include complimentary transportation between two destinations), b) tours that include complimentary transportation to/from select accommodations (i.e., particular hotels), and/or c) tours or activities that don’t require transportation to/from select accommodations because the accommodations are within walking distance of where the tour/activity takes place. In keeping with our example, there are white-water rafting tours on the Pacuare River that include free transportation between San Jose and La Fortuna, there are horseback riding tours that include free transportation between La Fortuna and Monteverde, and there are hotels adjacent to the Manuel Antonio National Park that eliminate the need for you to pay for transportation to and from the park.
• Select the accommodations you’d like to stay at while keeping in mind that some hotels qualify for free pick-up and drop-off services with some tours and activities and other hotels do not. In keeping with our example, there are white-water rafting tours on the Pacuare River that include a free pick-up at Hotel Presidente in San Jose and a free drop-off at the Tabacon Resort near La Fortuna, there are horseback riding tours that include a free pick-up at the Tabacon Resort near La Fortuna and a free drop-off at the Monteverde Villa Lodge in Monteverde, and Hotel San Bada in Manuel Antonio is next door (i.e., walking distance) to the Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Select the in-country destinations you’d like to visit (e.g., San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio). Note that when following our bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip planning, this decision is made for you because the tours and activities you decide to participate in determine the destinations you’ll need to visit.

In summary, the bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip planning flips the inverted triangle that appears in the first diagram above. In that diagram, tours and activities were the lowest priority and appeared at the bottom of the triangle. With our approach, tours and activities appear on top. Here’s a quick diagram to help you visualize the bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip-planning.

Note that although the bottom-up approach recommends that you research and select tours and activities at the start of the Costa Rica trip-planning process, it does not require you to book/reserve tours and activities during the first step. Although you can certainly book tours and activities early on in the trip-planning process if you wish to lock-in availability, the purpose of step #1 (listed above) is to encourage you to consider the types of tours and activities that are available in Costa Rica (and other tour-related details discussed below, such as where tours and activities take place and approximately how much time they take) from the start of your trip-planning journey regardless of when you want to officially secure your tour and activity selection.

If you’re familiar with our blog, you probably already know that we like to push the envelope and do things differently than everyone else. That’s not because we’re dead set on being trailblazers but because we recognize that the easy, popular path isn’t always what’s best for you, the traveler. Instead, we give little weight to what everyone else is doing or saying, and we think carefully and smartly for ourselves when formulating our own recommendations. In a nutshell, here’s why we feel the bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip planning is best :

The bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip planning encourages you to prioritize tours and activities, which means you can:

• zero-in on the best destinations for you to visit according to your unique tour and activity interests
• determine the correct number of days/nights you should spend at each destination according to your unique tour and activity interests
• save money by using city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours to get around, eliminating or reducing costs associated with private transfer services, shared shuttle services, domestic flights, boat rides, and/or other modes of transportation
• save money by using complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off services, eliminating or reducing costs associated with hotel pick-up and drop-off fees for tours

If you’ve decided to follow a bottom-up approach to Costa Rica trip planning, congrats! You obviously see trip planning as an investment in your overall travel experience, which is great. The best way to get started is to research tour and activity options in Costa Rica. These can range from guided adventure tours, like white-water rafting trips, canyoning tours, and ziplining excursions, to unguided activities such as trail walks, museum visits, and waterfall hikes. Here are a few resources to help get the ball rolling:

Browse our list of popular things to do in Costa Rica to get an idea of possble tours and activities, and to learn where in Costa Rica you can experience them: 30 Popular Things To Do In Costa Rica And Where To Do Them Costa Rica Off The Beaten Path: Where To Go And What To Do Browse other articles on our blog that pertain to other tours and activities in Costa Rica: Find Costa Rica Travel Blog articles about things to do in Costa Rica Search our sister site’s discount database for tour and activity ideas that you can filter by destination: Visit Pura Vida! eh? Inc.’s Costa Rica discount database

While you research tour and activity options in Costa Rica, keep track of the following information for each experience that interests you , if you can locate it:

• Which city or town the experience takes place in
• Approximately how long the experience takes to complete
• For guided tours: the times of day when the experience is offered
• For unguided tours: the hours of operation (i.e., the window of time when you can visit)

You can formulate a perfectly planned Costa Rica trip if you allow tour and activity details to inform your destination decisions. For example, if the tours and activities you wish to experience at destination X require a total of four full days, then give yourself four full days at destination X. Comparatively, if you only need two days to do and see all that interests you at destination Y, then limit the time you spend at destination Y to two days. Don’t forget to consider and possibly factor in time for less obvious activities like souvenir shopping, exploring town centers, relaxing at beaches, spa treatments, or other periods of downtime.

After you figure out which tours and activities you’d like to do in Costa Rica, and where and when you can do them, you can determine whether any of the tours and activities you’ve selected offer complimentary transportation, either between destinations or simply to and from hotels. If so, allow these tour and activity details to inform your transportation and accommodation decisions . For example, if one of the tours you selected includes free transportation between San Jose and La Fortuna, and you plan to spend time in these two areas of Costa Rica during your trip, book the tour, not a different transportation service (e.g., a shared shuttle service or a private transfer service), for the route. Similarly, if you’re trying to decide between hotel A and hotel B, and a tour you’re interested in includes a free pick-up and drop-off at hotel B but not hotel A, consider choosing hotel B to avoid paying unnecessary transportation fees. Our related blog posts Costa Rica Tour Transportation: How To Use Tours To Travel Between Destinations and Costa Rica Tour Transportation: Hotel Pick-Ups And Drop-Offs provide tons of information about tour-related transportation services to help you identify where complimentary transportation services are available.

You may be wondering if following our bottom-up approach is worth it, “it” referring to the extra time and effort that the approach requires you to put into the planning of your trip. If so, ask yourself this: “ Is your overall Costa Rica travel experience worth it? ” Like most projects we as humans take on in life, we only get out as much as we put in, and Costa Rica trip planning is no different. Although your trip probably won’t be a disaster if you follow the top-down approach, we argue you can build a better, more time- and cost-efficient trip that hones in on your interests and delivers more of what you actually want to experience in Costa Rica, if you follow the bottom-up approach. Squashing the potential for travel regret is that simple. 🙂

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you traveled to Costa Rica before? If so, how did you plan your trip, and how did that work out?

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Tagged:  costa rica , costa rica travel , costa rica travel tips , pura vida! eh? incorporated , tourism , travel , travel tips

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The comment section of this article has moved! If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica , our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. See you there, amigos! 🙂

When we travel, we like the freedom to roam approach. No real plan. Just go!

Hey Secondhand Surfer!

A lot of travelers like that approach! We find that it depends entirely on the traveler; those with a limited amount of time to explore Costa Rica, specific interests in doing/seeing particular things, and/or dietary or mobility restrictions tend to prefer planning their trips in advance. The same goes for travelers on a tight budget, travelers who plan to visit during the high/peak seasons, and families with children. Other people (especially those with more time and money to spend) enjoy winging it like you mentioned. The best thing is, Costa Rica welcomes all kinds of travelers, so there’s certainly something here for everyone. 🙂

Costa rica is quite simply my favourite place to visit. It offers a unique combination of all the things I love: breathtaking natural beauty, great swimming, summertime sun, interesting architecture,delicious food.I hope you too enjoyed like i did!

Hey Costa Rica Travel Agency!

We’re heavily biased, but we agree! Don’t forget the incredible wildlife, the friendly people, and the pura vida lifestyle! 🙂

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Sadly, ai-generated costa rica blogs and guides are taking over the internet. thank you for choosing our authentic website and resources over others, for trusting our firsthand experience, and for preferring our human-backed recommendations 😀 other ways we are unique:.

✓ We choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blog is entirely voluntary. ✓ Ricky is a born-and-raised Costa Rican and Nikki (married to Ricky) has explored Costa Rica since the mid-2000s . ✓ We've operated our Costa Rica-based business, Pura Vida! eh? Inc. , for 16 years (and counting!) . ✓ Our Costa Rica guidebooks are published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides brand . ✓ We only ever write about experiences we know firsthand , and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere . ✓ We never copy or plagiarize other writers' content . How we wish other writers would show us the same respect! ✓ Unless stated otherwise, every photo displayed on our blog was taken by us, and with our own two hands. (Unlike some other bloggers, who rely on drones to travel and conduct research for them, we actually visit and explore the places we write about .)👍🏽 ✓ We're active in promoting Costa Rica around the world . We've written about Costa Rica for Wanderlust Magazine (UK), presented Costa Rica on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel Show and podcast/radio show (US), and served as a Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist (Spain). ✓ Our work is backed by hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials ( read some here ) ✓ We are not overly active on social media . Instead of fixating on our own popularity, we spend the majority of our time exploring and researching Costa Rica, updating our various Costa Rica resources, and working with travelers one-on-one. We're focused on the quality of your travel experience , not the quantity of our followers. ❤️ 

We hope you enjoy your visit to our junk-free blog as much as your time in Costa Rica. 😊

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Costa Rica Travel Guide

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Costa Rica is one of my favorite countries in the world. It was the first country I ever traveled to — and it was the country that sparked my wanderlust.

These days, Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in Central America . It’s popular with expats, luxury travelers, and backpackers alike. While it is on the higher end of the price spectrum for the region, it’s nevertheless a phenomenal country to visit and remains affordable.

I love the never-ending activities, gorgeous beaches, diverse wildlife, delicious food, and friendly people.

The country may be expensive by regional standards but that doesn’t make it any less amazing. The beaches are picturesque, there’s great surfing and amazing diving, and there are plenty of places to get away from the hordes of retired Americans that live here.

This guide to Costa Rica can help you have the trip of a lifetime — and save money in the process!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Costa Rica

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in costa rica.

1. Climb a volcano

Volcanoes are among the country’s top tourist attractions. There are currently 5 active ones and over 60 dormant ones. Arenal is the most popular, famous for its beautiful hikes and scenic views. Irazu is known for its astonishing green-blue lake in one of its craters, while the Poas Volcano is home to a boiling acid lake within its crater.

2. Visit Monteverde

Monteverde is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica. I always found this town to be a nice base to hike the surrounding cloud forest, take canopy tours, and visit coffee plantations. I still dream of the coffee from here — it’s like drinking liquid chocolate! Be sure to take a nocturnal rainforest tour while you’re here — they’re super fun and educational.

3. Explore Tortuguero National Park

This park on the Caribbean coast is regarded as one of the most important breeding grounds for the endangered green turtle. The park also helps protect manatees, sloths, and monkeys. If you like jungles, birds, and quiet, this is a must-see! Admission is $16.95 USD. You can visit as a guided full-day tour from San Jose for $195 USD.

4. Explore Corcovado

Established in 1975, Corcovado National Park is on the remote Osa Peninsula in the southwest. Spanning 424 square kilometers (164 square miles), it’s a rugged, quiet, off-the-beaten-path destination. Here you’ll find pristine jungles, hiking trails, and plenty of diving opportunities. There’s lots of wildlife too, including tapirs, jaguars, pumas, and the rare Harpy eagle. The peninsula is not easy to get to but it’s the highlight of the country for me.

5. Stay in Puerto Viejo

Other things to see and do in costa rica, 1. visit san josé.

Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose is in the center of the country. It’s sort of gritty and there’s not a whole lot to do (the city only requires a few days) but while you’re here, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art & Design to check out the future of Costa Rican art, as well as the magnificent Teatro Nacional to take in its décor. There are also many tour companies that offer day trips to the surrounding jungle for hiking, zip-lining, canopy tours, and more. Most start around $150 USD.

2. Zip through the rainforest canopy

The highest 10% of rainforest is where most activity takes place, filled with squawking birds, slow moving sloths, and monkeys scampering from tree to tree. For an adrenaline-pumping view of these vast, diverse ecosystems, take a zip line tour. There are dozens of companies throughout the country, though Monteverde is my favorite place to do it. Expect to pay around $75-85 USD for a multi-line tour lasting a couple of hours .

3. Explore Baru Wildlife Refuge

With over 330 hectares (815 acres) of land, 7 kilometers (4 miles) of walking trails, and 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of fantastic beaches, this refuge is another prime example of Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Located on the coast south of Manuel Antonio , here you can go birdwatching, take canopy tours, and explore the park via guided tours to see the wildlife. Don’t miss the orchid and butterfly gardens. For something more unique, take a nighttime guided tour to see the region’s nocturnal animals. Self-guided tours cost $15 USD while guided tours start at $35 USD.

4. Go surfing in Jaco

Located on the Pacific Coast west of San Jose, Jaco was once a sleepy resort town whose main attraction was its excellent surfing. Growing tourism has transformed it into a haven of beach parties and nightclubs. Surf lessons and rentals are widely available on the beaches and sport-fishing is also popular here. For a more laid-back visit, head to the nearby Carara National Park to spot scarlet macaws, armadillos, and hundreds of species of birds (admission is $11.30 USD).

5. Learn some Spanish

Costa Rica is one of the most popular countries for learning Spanish due to the country’s easy-to-understand dialect. Programs vary in length and cost, but most offer the opportunity to do an immersive homestay with a Costa Rican family. Expect to spend around $500 USD for a basic week-long homestay language learning program.

6. See La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Located just one hour from San Jose, this makes for a popular day trip. Aside from the many stunning waterfalls throughout the lush cloud forest, here you’ll also find several beautiful gardens, an aviary, a hummingbird garden, a butterfly garden, and a reptile area. Plan to stay at least two hours to see everything. Admission is $50 USD. You can also do a full-day tour to the Waterfall Gardens that includes a visit to a coffee plantation and Poás Volcano for $159 USD.

7. Go fishing

Costa Rica is home to Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Snapper, Wahoo, and more. If you love to fish (or just want to give it a try), consider doing a half-day or full-day fishing excursion. A basic group excursion costs around $105 USD and usually includes food, though prices can be ten times as high for multi-day or exclusive charters. A half-day private charter is around $400-600 USD. You can usually find places that can cook your catch as well.

8. Chill out in Santa Teresa

At the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula is the hippy backpacker town of Santa Teresa. This “town” is really nothing more than a beach with a road lined with eateries, surf shops, and hostels. Not much goes on here as everyone is up early to hit the waves. I enjoyed my time here as it’s a good place to just lay on the beach, hang out with people, and relax. It’s an easy place to fall into and spend weeks. Or, like most people who visit, months.

9. Learn to surf

Puerto Viejo , Cahuita , Manuel Antonio , Jaco, Santa Teresa, or Tamarindo all offer plenty of waves and lots of places to learn to surf. In fact, most travelers come here to surf because the waves are world renowned. If you have never learned but always wanted to try, this is the best place in the region to learn. Group lessons cost around $60 USD and private lessons are around $80-100 USD, while all-inclusive surf camps (including food, accommodation, lessons, and more) can be up to $2,500 USD. Board rentals are usually around $10 USD per day.

10. Walk through the treetops

The Rainmaker Aerial Walkway, located one hour from Jaco, was the first aerial walkway to be built in Central America. Spanning the canopy of a private rainforest, it’s still considered to be one of the top aerial walkways in the region. At the highest point on the walkway, you’ll find yourself 20 stories above the ground, giving you ample opportunities to spot all kinds of birds and monkeys. A self-guided tour is $23 USD, while guided tours start at $74 USD.

11. Wander a coffee plantation

Costa Rican coffee is famous the world over. On a coffee plantation tour you can learn about the entire bean-to-cup process and see it all up close — all while learning about the lives of the local farmers who grow it. While I personally dislike the taste of coffee, the kind I had in Monteverde tasted like chocolate and was delicious! Prices vary but expect to pay around $40-50 USD for a tour.

12. Take a chocolate-making workshop

Cacao is Costa Rica’s other famous bean (also technically a seed). Once widely exported, Costa Rican chocolate is now mostly made in small batches on local artisan farms. There are many places around the country where you can take chocolate making workshops, where you can see the entire process, sample the goods, and try your hand at grinding raw cacao. Tours generally last 2-3 hours and cost around $30-40 USD.

13. Experience the rainforest by night

A guided night walk offers the chance to spot and learn about some of the countless nocturnal animals that call the forest home, including tarantulas, armadillos, and stick bugs. It’s a cool way to see a different side of the jungle as your guide will point out animals, insects, and plants that you might not have noticed otherwise. You can take night walks at national parks and nature preserves around the country. Tours generally last around 2 hours and cost $25-35 USD.

14. Take a cooking class

One of my favorite ways to learn about a new culture is through its cuisine, and taking a cooking class is one of the best ways to do that. Taking home new recipes is also a great souvenir from your trip! In this 3-hour cooking class in La Fortuna, you’ll learn about typical Costa Rican produce and ingredients, and then prepare a few traditional dishes like picadillos (a spicy stew), tortillas, and guisados (a meat dish).

  For more information on specific destinations in the country, check out these guides:

• Arenal Travel Guide
• Manuel Antonio Travel Guide
• Monteverde Travel Guide
• Puerto Viejo Travel Guide
• San Jose Travel guide
• Tamarindo Travel Guide
• Tortuguero Travel Guide

Costa Rica Travel Costs

Hostel Costs – A bed in a hostel dorm with 4-6 beds costs between $15-25 USD per night, while dorms with 8 beds and up can be found for as cheap as $11-14 USD. Private rooms in hostels are usually $35-60 USD.

Free Wi-Fi is standard and some hostels also include free breakfast. The majority of hostels around the country also have self-catering facilities too. Many also have bars/restaurants on site. In the beach areas especially, some hostels even have pools.

Budget hotel costs – Budget hotels begin around $50 USD per night but average closer to $65-70 USD.Breakfast is often included and most have basic amenities like AC and TV. Many budget hotels even have pools, especially in beachside towns.

For Airbnb, private rooms start around $40-60 USD per night. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least $75-125 USD. Prices double when not booked in advance.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is an option all around the country. Most campgrounds usually charge around $10 USD per night for a basic plot without electricity. Avoid wild camping as it is often unsafe and illegal in many areas due to the protection of natural areas.

Food – Costa Rican cuisine is centered around rice and beans, which are usually eaten for every meal. Potatoes, plantain, pork, and beef are also popular. Gallo pinto (rice and bean stir-fry) is the national dish. You’ll find it mixed with eggs for breakfast. Casado is a typical lunch dish, which consists of rice, beans, veggies, fresh salad, and your choice of meat. Generally, the food here is quite mild.

Note: While you can easily pay for tours and entrance fees in USD, in smaller establishments, such as local restaurants, you’ll need colones (CRC). Prices in this section are in CRC to reflect this.

At sodas (cheap local restaurants serving traditional cuisine), expect a filling meal of casado (rice, beans, veggies, and meat) to cost around 3,500-5,000 CRC. You can usually find empanadas and other savory snacks from traditional bakeries for around 2,000 CRC or less.

At a mid-range restaurant or in touristy areas (like right along the beach) expect to pay around around 7,000-8,500 CRC for a fish dish, 6,000-7,000 for a burger or a simple pasta dish, and 9,000-11,000 CRC for a steak dish or large pizza to share. Seafood dishes like lobster start around 12,000-17,000 CRC.

For fast food (think pizza or burgers) or a dish of fried rice at a Chinese takeout place, expect to pay around 4,500-5,000 CRC.

Domestic beer costs around 1,500-2,000 CRC, a glass of wine is 3,000 CRC, a cocktail is 3,500-5,000 CRC, and a latte/cappuccino is around 2,000 CRC. Bottled water is 1,000 CRC. Fruit smoothies, which you can get made either with water or milk, are 2,000-2,500 CRC.

If you plan on cooking for yourself, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 20,000-30,000 CRC depending on the area. This gets you basic staples like rice, beans, veggies, fruit, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Costa Rica Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Costa Rica, my suggested budget is $50 USD per day. On this budget, you can stay in a hostel, cook most of your meals, have some cheap street food, take public transportation to get around, and enjoy mostly free activities like hiking and the beach.

On a mid-range budget of around $135 USD per day, you can stay in an Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out at local sodas, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like guided tours, surf lessons, and museum visits

On a “luxury” budget of $250 USD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, rent a car to get around, drink as much as you’d like, and do as many excursions as you want, including diving and canopy tours. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Costa Rica Travel Guide: Money Saving Tips

Costa Rica is one of the most expensive countries in Central America. Between food costs, accommodation, and activities, there’s a lot of ways to spend money. You can get by on a budget compared to other places in the world but it’s still an expensive place to visit. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save money while you’re here:

• Travel off-season – Late April to November is considered the rainy season and prices tend to be less expensive and the region is less crowded. If you’re on a budget, visit during this time.
• Avoid tour activities – There are a lot of great (but expensive) group activities and tours in the country. Skip them and do free activities like hiking, swimming, and relaxing at the beach instead.
• Eat at the sodas – “Sodas” are small family-run restaurants that specialize in inexpensive yet filling traditional meals, usually costing around 3,500-5,000 CRC. These hole-in-the-wall restaurants offer the best value in the country.
• Go camping – Some hostels let you camp on their property if you have a tent. If not, there are plenty of campgrounds around the country where you can pitch a tent. Usually, this costs around $10 USD per night.
• Visit the Caribbean side – Visiting the cheaper Caribbean side lets you see the beautiful country without the high prices of the popular Pacific destinations.
• Avoid the tourist shuttles – While local buses are a lot slower than tourist shuttles, they are also a fraction of the price (i.e the local bus from San Jose to Monteverde is $6 USD while a shuttle is $60 USD). If you aren’t rushed for time, take the local buses.
• Pack a water bottle – While the tap water is drinkable in most of the country, there are some remote and beach destinations where it’s recommended to drink bottled water. A reusable water bottle with a filter can help you save money (and thousands of plastic bottles) by purifying the tap water for you. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw .

Where to Stay in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has lots of fun, social, and affordable hostels. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Costa Rica:

• Arenal Backpackers Resort (Arenal)
• Selina Puerto Viejo (Puerto Viejo)
• Stray Cat Hostel (San Jose)
• Costa Rica Backpackers (San Jose)
• Pura Natura Lodge Manuel Antonio (Manuel Antonio)
• Sloth Backpackers (Monteverde)
• Pura Vida Hostel (Tamarindo)
• Aracari Garden Hostel (Tortuguero)

How to Get Around Costa Rica

Bus – The cheapest and easiest way to get around Costa Rica is by bus. Short bus trips (under 3 hours) are usually around $2-10 USD while longer trips cost $10-20 USD. The Costa Rica tourism board has a comprehensive schedule and guide to help you plan your trip.

Minibus – Private minibuses or shuttles provide an easy way to get around the country, or to and from the airport. They are all over the place and are often quicker and more direct than the public buses (but also more expensive, starting at $50-60 USD). Ask your hotel/hostel staff for the local options as they vary around the country.

Flying – Since the country is so small, air travel within Costa Rica isn’t budget-friendly or efficient. I would skip this method of travel. It won’t save you time or money.

Car Rental – Car rentals are surprisingly affordable in Costa Rica. You can rent a car for as little as $30-45 USD per day. However, the roads here are not always great and drivers can be aggressive. Make sure you have insurance if you do rent a vehicle. Most rental companies require drivers to be 25 though some will rent to drivers who are 21. For the best car rental prices in Costa Rica, use Vamos (as a Nomadic Matt reader, you’ll get 5% off by using our link).

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking isn’t common for long-distance rides, however, it’s possible in beach destinations or in remote places with less public transport. HitchWiki is the best website for additional hitchhiking tips and info.

When to Go to Costa Rica

Overall, temperatures and weather vary per region, but most people go to Costa Rica during the dry season, which takes place from December to April. Although it’s peak season and tourism is at its highest, there’s almost non-stop sunshine, ideal for enjoying the country’s beaches and rainforests. If visiting during this time, make all your reservations in advance since things fill up fast.

The rainy season is from May to November. This is when it’s cheapest to visit Costa Rica. It doesn’t rain all the time though and temperatures are still warm. The rain tends to lighten during June and July, making the country’s rainforests burst with life.

If you’re around the Caribbean coast and the Northern Plains, you can expect year-round humidity and temperatures somewhere in the 20s-30s°C (70s-80s°F). It’s not so humid in the North Pacific, but temperatures can get even hotter in this area during the dry season.

How to Stay Safe in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the safest countries for traveling and backpacking in Central America . Most popular tourist towns are small and with little threat of violence. Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

That said, it’s always good to play it safe. Petty theft (including bag snatching) is one of the most common types of crime here. Don’t flash your valuables and make sure they are always secure while you’re out. When going out for the night, only bring the money you need. Leave the rest of your cash and cards locked up in your accommodation.

There are some common scams here, including a taxi scam where the driver tells you the meter is broken once the drive has begun. For that reason, you should stick to metered taxis or negotiate a price in advance. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight as break-ins do occur. Be mindful of missing road signs and potholes, as well as aggressive drivers.

Costa Rica’s natural wonders can be unpredictable. If you’re hiking in the jungle, always check the weather in advance and never stray from the trail. Doing so disturbs the fragile ecosystems, and opens yourself up to the possibility of encountering poisonous snakes and spiders. When in doubt, hire a guide. If you’re not a strong swimmer, stay out of the water. The currents and waves off the coast can be very strong, so heed signs and local advice on whether it’s safe to swim in a certain area or not.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against unexpected costs due to illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Costa Rica Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Costa Rica Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Costa Rica and continue planning your trip:

The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Costa Rica

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Costa Rica?

The Best Tour Companies in Costa Rica

The 8 Best Hostels in San José, Costa Rica

Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit?

Is Central America Safe to Visit?

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15 Dos and Don’ts When Planning A Trip To Costa Rica

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Costa Rica has quickly emerged as the top destination for adventure lovers . If you’re reading this post, it is likely that you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica. To get you started, here are a few things you need to know before traveling to Costa Rica!!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).

Top Tips For Planning Your Costa Rica Trip

1| Get Ready To Spend Money

Let’s face the truth: Costa Rica is not cheap. Actually, Costa Rica is  one of the most expensive countries to visit in Central America.

Take gas prices, for example. It costs approx. USD$1.07 a liter, which is 48% more expensive than in the USA and 22% more than in Canada! Tours average around USD$100 per person per day.

Why so expensive? It is probably because of the high prices of importing fuel and goods as well as the heavy import taxes. All these are transferred to the cost of traveling in Costa Rica. So make sure you adjust your travel budget accordingly!

If you’re curious, check out this Costa Rica Travel Costs page detailing how much it costs to visit Costa Rica.

2| Allow More Than One Week In Costa Rica

Costa Rica may look small on the map, but don’t let its small size fool you. There are so many places to see and adventures to be had – from its gorgeous beaches, misty cloud forests, extraordinary wildlife, lush rainforests to active volcanoes. It is impossible to see Costa Rica in merely a week. On our recent trip, we spent 2 weeks in Costa Rica – every day packed with activities – and we still feel we barely scratched the surface!

Our advice is: plan a minimum of 2 weeks in Costa Rica . It is a good amount of time to explore 3-4 places without feeling too rushed. You can add extra days if you want to cover more ground.

[irp posts=”7932″ name=”Two Weeks In Costa Rica: An Action-Packed Itinerary For First-Timers”]

3| Visit During Rainy Season

Most people choose to travel to Costa Rica during the dry season (December-April) so that they can enjoy the nice sunny weather. But that comes with a price – it’s busy and expensive!

Why not visit during the rainy season (May-November) instead? You will run into rain showers, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with thinner crowds, greener landscapes, cooler temperatures and cheaper rates! Also, most tours run year round. Even for whale watching  and turtle nesting tours!

Note:   the weather really depends on what part of Costa Rica you are visiting. For example, when we visited in early November, it rained almost every day in Arenal, but was bright and sunny in Monteverde!

[irp posts=”7763″ name=”Luxury Hotel Near SJO Airport That Won’t Break The Bank”]

Pro tip: pack a light water-resistant rain jacket and bring a waterproof backpack when visiting during the rainy season.

4| Ditch Roaming. Buy A Pre-Paid SIM Card Instead.

Want to stay connected during your trip in Costa Rica? Buy a prepaid SIM card. It is cheap and easy!

You can get one at both SJO and LIR airports. Look for the Kolbi service desk. This mobile carrier is the largest in Costa Rica and has great connectivity around the country. You can buy 500MB data for USD$10 for one week , or 2GB for one month for USD$20.

Pro tip:   2GB should be more than enough to last you 2 weeks in Costa Rica. If you need more, you can top up at any store that has the Kolbi logo on the window. Simply ask for “recarga,” give the staff your phone number, and tell them how much money you want to top up.

5| Forget Google Maps. Download WAZE.

In North America, we rely heavily on Google Maps for navigation. But in Costa Rica, everyone uses WAZE. This free app is similar to Google Maps in searching for the best route. On top of that, it also gives you of real-time traffic updates, including accidents and police warnings!

6| Rent A Car

Typically, we avoid driving in a foreign country. But to maximize our sightseeing time and have the ultimate freedom to go wherever and whenever we would like, we decided to book a car rental. And that was the BEST DECISION we’ve made on our trip.

However, renting a car in Costa Rica can be tricky. We had come across many complaints about hidden fees while doing our research. After sifting through the options, we decided to go with Adobe Rent A Car – largest and most reputable car rental company in Costa Rica!

Why Adobe Rent A Car?

Renting from Adobe is easy and stress-free. They are transparent in their quote.  This means you know exactly how much you will be charged when you pick up the car (no surprises!). There is NO license plate fees, environmental fees, airport fees  or any other “mandatory” fees that other car rental companies make their customer pay. The only mandatory fee is the Liability Insurance (PLI), required by law. More comprehensive insurance like Collision Damage Waivers (LDW) and Total Protection (SPP) are available, but optional.

Another reason we chose Adobe is that they make it possible to enjoy a one-way trip. Our itinerary was arranged in a way that we had to fly into SJO and fly out of LIR. We thought this might be an issue given that our outbound flight was scheduled to leave at 6am (before their office hours). After explaining our situation, the Adobe staff was very accommodating. With more than 16 offices across Costa Rica, they are flexible to have the  car picked up and dropped off at different locations . On the day, the staff waited at the office early in the morning for the drop-off and drove us at the airport!

On top of all that, they have a wide selection of vehicles for hire , all of which are less than 2 years of service !

Our experience with Adobe Rent A Car was exceptional. We highly recommend them to anyone looking to hire a car in Costa Rica!

How’s Driving In Costa Rica?

→ Driving in Alajuela & San Jose: Traffic is terrible during the daytime. Pay attention to unpredictable and reckless drivers. Watch out for motorbikes.  

→ From Alajuela to Arenal: Hilly at times, but roads are well paved with a few potholes here and there. Try not to drive at night as there is no street light.  

→ From Arenal to Monteverde: Make sure you drive a 4×4 vehicle. The last 1/3 of the drive turns into pothole-ridden dirt and gravel roads. The roads in Santa Elena town are paved though.

→ From San Jose to Liberia/Guanacaste:  The main Route 1 is generally well-paved. In between Canas and Liberia, there is a 4-to-6 lane highway. Other parts are 2 lanes.

7| Book Domestic Flights If Short On Time

Flying within Costa Rica is expensive, but if you’re short on time (or don’t want to drive), domestic flights may be a sensible option.

Costa Rica has 2 local airlines: Sansa Airlines and Nature Air . They fly out to as many as 13 different destinations within the country , and it generally takes 30-45 minutes! Both airlines use small propeller planes that can hold between 12-19 passengers only .

We flew with Nature Air once from LIB to SJO and it took us only 50 mins. Even though we spent a total of USD$300 on the tickets, it was money well spent to skip the 4 hours of driving back on the same route. Plus, Nature Air has large windows, giving us an unobstructed view of Costa Rica’s lush mountains, beaches, and volcanoes from above!

One important thing to note is the small luggage allowance per person . At check-in, if your baggage exceeds their size and weight restriction for carry-on (and they are VERY strict about it), you will need to pay extra to have it checked.

8| No Need To Exchange Colones Beforehand

US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, especially at hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies. Even at local supermarkets! So there is absolutely no need to exchange Costa Rican Colones in advance.

If you need Colones, go to the banks for the best exchange rates. Or, pay in USD at restaurants or supermarkets and get the change back in Colones.

Pro tip: Keep some coins for the tolls if you plan to drive. We encountered a toll booth when driving from San Jose to Alajuela.

9| Tipping Is Not Required

It is not customary to leave a tip. At restaurants, a 10% service charge is included in your bill. Tour guides, drivers, housekeepers usually do not expect an additional tip for their service.

10| Tap Water Is Safe To Drink

Yes, it is perfectly safe to drink tap water!

11| No Spanish? No Problem.

English is widely used in most tourist destinations. Having said that, it is always useful to know some Spanish, especially if you want to eat at a soda (local diner).

The Spanish phrase you will hear a lot in Costa Rica is:  Pura Vida. It means “pure life,” but it is commonly used to mean hello, goodbye, and everything’s great. Remember that!

12| Follow The Experts: Join Guided Naturalist Tours

It is true that you can go on self-guided hikes and tours at many places. But you will see so much more than expected if you join the experts on guided tours.

At the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park , we joined the specialist on a walk who pointed out a variety of bird species, animals and insects along the way. If we visited on our own, we wouldn’t have spotted ourselves and gotten these amazing pictures and videos of them!

Although guided naturalist tours are a bit more expensive, they will leave you an unforgettable memory!

Note: many of these tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off so there’s no need to worry about transportation.

[irp posts=”7864″ name=”The Adventurer’s Guide: 16 Unforgettable Things To Do In Costa Rica”]

13| Order Seafood, But Know That Shrimps Are Expensive

Costa Rica has plenty of fresh seafood, but do you know that shrimps are very very expensive?

Fishing techniques such as trawling kill turtles and destroy coral. So, to protect the marine resources, the government has put a halt to the use of trawler nets to catch shrimp and other unselective and destructive fisheries. That is why shrimps are expensive in Costa Rica.

But not to worry, there are so many other delicious seafood available for us to enjoy at inexpensive prices!

14| Don’t Miss Out On Local Healthy Snacks

Make a trip to a local supermarket and you’ll realize  Ticos (Costa Ricans) love cassava chips, yuca chips and plantain chips . They are addictingly delicious! You can find a variety of them on the shelves, sold under the brands PRO and Soldanza.

Toasted corn snacks by Jacks Picaronas are popular among the locals as well.

Coffee aficionados, check out Cafe Britt . This brand is known for their coffee and gourmet chocolates. The chocolate covered coffee beans, dark chocolate covered pineapple, and dark chocolate with creamy nut filling are a few of our favorites!

15| Go Beach Hopping? Keep In Mind That…

One of the fun things to do in Costa Rica is going beach-hopping. However, the beaches may seem close to each other on the map, but are actually far to drive to.

This is because there is no actual “road” connecting the beaches so you can’t really drive along the coast. You will have to drive out of the beach town and go back to the main road first before you can head towards the next beach community.

You may find some people attempting to drive their car onto the sandy pathways leading up to the beaches. Don’t do that. We have seen cars got stuck there and people had to push them from behind.

Pro tip: Instead of driving, rent an ATV. That is the fastest way to beach hop!

We hope you find these tips helpful for your Costa Rica trip planning. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them below!

Costa Rica Trip Planning Resources

✓ Best Luxury Hotels:   The Springs , Hotel Belmar , Andaz | Compare reviews on TripAdvisor ✓ Flights + Hotels + Rental Car Bundle:   Search on Expedia

Disclaimer: This post is written in partnership with Adobe Rent A Car .   As always, all opinions on For Two, Please are my own and I only recommend brands that I 100% stand behind.

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60 comments leave a comment ».

These are all great tips! Costa Rica is such a beautiful country, and there’s so much to do and see. I’m glad you talk about the driving here. We actually hired a local driver because the roads were so bad – or non-existent – that we felt much safer with him doing the driving! Plus, he took us to some amazing little restaurants that we would never have known about otherwise!

Hi Lois, i’m traveling there next week. I’m afraid to drive but not have much money either to spend on taxis. how much was the cost of the driver that you hired?

Hi Lois Can you tell Me the name of the restaurant a that the driver took you?

Great article! Visited the Pacific Coast last summer and it was great during rainy season, especially since it wasn’t too crowded. It is true that in less than 2 weeks you can’t visit the whole country. I would disagree with your point 11 though, if you stick to touristy places, yes they speak English but if you visit off the beaten path places they definitely don’t and as in all of Latin America, you pay more and will be treated more like a tourist if you don’t speak Spanish. That being said English levels are higher in Costa Rica than in the rest of Central America. Renting a car is obviously a great idea but also a lot more expensive and a bit burdensome. Happy travels!

Are you saying WAZE works better than Google Maps? That is incredible. I know google maps is not as dependable when you move out of urban areas in India so I can imagine it may not be so accurate in Costa Rica. I like places where people do not expect a tip from you. I find tipping culture very demeaning. It is like throwing change on people. There are more respectful ways of saying Thank you.

I had no idea about the tipping and tap water! My former student has been traveling through Costa Rica and it’s been wonderful to see her photos of the beaches and animals. It may be one of the more expensive countries in Latin America, but it’s sure worth it!

Oh wow I didn’t know Costa Rica is so beautiful during the rainy season. The green is so lush and gorgeous! I always agree it’s better to travel during off season to enjoy a different kind of beauty!

Getting an expert local guide was probably the best thing we did in Costa Rica. Our guide took us to the top of Arenal Volcano and then the magic happened. He showed us insects, plants, and trees that we never would have noticed. With his knowledge and enthusiasm, he showed us all kinds of medicines, secrets, and mysteries of the forest. We realized that our two hour hike wasn’t even close to long enough for everything that we were seeing.

Wow, so many great tips and very useful for my trip planning to this amazing central American countries – thanks a lot for covering aspects, like: transportation, food, and pre-paid sim card. I should bookmark this when I am about to fly there! @ knycx.journeying

These are some great tips. They have really made me rethink some of my plans for Costa Rica as I was planning to visit for a week. I like the idea of hiring a car but good to know what to look out for 

I loved this article. I had never been to Costa Rica and would love to visit it in 2018. I really loved your advice of planning for a minimum of 2 weeks in Costa Rica. That is what I usually do. You can’t enjoy a place in FF mode. And, I love rains so I am definitely going to follow your advice.

Havent been to Costa Rica yet but these are some great tips which I will take on board.

Fabulous tips – we LOVE Costa Rica! I’ve been three times now and it’s the most incredible country! But yes, it’s definitely not cheap, and the mass tourism from the US will keep it that way. And you should definitely allow for upwards of a week – there’s SO much to see and do!

I love love love the wet season, so am totally behind you there – we’re big wildlife fans, and photography enthusiasts, and the landscapes always look so lush for photos, with the rain bringing out more wildlife 🙂

Fantastic post and very useful tips. I’m hoping Central America, and especially Costa Rica, will feature in my travel plans in 2019 so this post will be extremely useful. I like your suggestion to visit in the rainy season – ‘bad’ weather has never really bothered me / stopped me doing anything, so it’ll definitely be nice to avoid ridiculous costs and crowds.

I have only visited Costa Rica as a cruise port. I would love to go back. Thanks for the tips on rental cars. High prices, no tipping, and roads full of bad drivers will remind us of home (Auckland). Lots of really useful tips here, and I will remember to check out cassava chips and plantains (two favourites of mine). I will come back to this page before we plan a visit.

Super tips. and the great tip on tipping not expected too 🙂 Never been to that part of the world yet. but I have read so much about Costa Rica that I need to seriously plan. Happy New Year!

Thanks for the recommendations. I live part-time in neighboring Boquete and we are hoping to take a Costa Rica road trip this year. The prepaid phone card is the #1 thing I always tell people visiting Panama, too. Great tips- especially the road conditions in each of those areas. Thanks for that.

Wow great list of tips for CR. Like the fact that you recommend people to buy a local sim card. Many travelers still dont seem to get this and are always so dependent on WiFi signal. Also no need to change Colones before your trip. Those travelers with a big stash of money always make me wonder why the hell they did this! 🙂

Costa Rica is really beautiful and we would love visiting it during the rainy season. But your first pointer of being ready to spend money left me rethinking on spending two weeks there. Great pictures and tips.

Costa Rica is an absolute delight from all the numerous accounts of travelers that I have read. Costa Rica is definitely high on our bucket list, we would love to get there ASAP. These are some great tips and are sure to stand us in good stead when we get there.

Such great tips. Certainly, didn’t know tips were not required and that the water was safe to drink. Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for a long time. Especially to see the unique and lush landscape. Waze also works better in Ecuador and other countries in Latin America. Really hope I can visit Costa Rica soon. Pinning this for later 😀

These are wonderful suggestions for all travelers. Costa Rica has fast risen on the global tourist map and on many traveler’s bucket list. It’s good that you talked about WAZE as an alternative to Google Maps. I’ll keep Adobe Rent a Car in mind when i plan my trip to Costa Rica.

Ohh Costa Rica! The main reason for why I havent visited Costa Rica before is how expensive it is! But I guess by reading your post going during the rain season a trip to Costa Rica doesn’t have to cost that much! I knew that there are many american tourist  ut I am surprise that we can use american dollar there. I love seafood but I am quite glad to hear that the goverment is trying to protect the sea life! Thanks for this post and hopefully I will get to Costa Rica soon!

These tips are fantastic and also make me want to head to Costa Rica. I also love the aerial picture you have from the plane.

Looks like you explored the in and out of Costa Rica as your guide is detailed for anyone going there. I think I read somewhere about soemoen swearing by WAVE over Google, so not surprised you mentioned it again. I never expected Costa Rica to be expensive though, the name looks affordable. I agree with you, going on a gudied tour is the best way to explore another environment especially the ones that boasts of rich natural landscape such as Costa Rica. Good tips you have here. Anyone heading over to Costa Rica will surely find this useful.

Costa Rica reminds me so much of my home country, Trinidad and Tobago. It’s so lush and the birds look similar! I didn’t know it was so expensive though so I better start saving up!

I’m dying to get to Costa Rica, and I’m surprised to hear that it’s expensive. I always just think of Central America as super cheap. What would you say a budget day would cost? I would LOVE to visit in rainy season when the landscapes are extra lush, so that’s an amazing perk that it’s cheaper then as well! Great tips! 

Your photos are awesome, I have always wanted to visit Costa Rica! I had no idea it was so expensive, I will definitely make sure I take your tips into consideration while I plan my trip! Grabbing a SIM card is an awesome idea to cut back on roaming costs, and renting a car would be awesome while I am there!

Great tips for travel in Costa Rica! The money one definitely sticks out, lol–we knew it would expensive, but after coming from Nicaragua, the sticker shock was significant. We also rented a car, and agree it makes the country so much more accessible. You pay a price for that, though–it’s expensive and a headache to drive, as I’m sure you guys saw! We may look into Adobe Rent a Car next time.

Inspiring Guide! I spent a few weeks in Costa Rica back in 2014! It’s true what you say about WAZE it works so well. I also concur with you about visiting during the wet season. What I did was visit right at the end of dry season. That way I got the best of both worlds 🙂

This makes us so excited for Costa Rica! it’s like a trend for Canadians to go and feel like have been missing out not going! For sure will go for more than a 2 week!!

Great tips…especially about traveling in monsoon to escape the crowd -m less crowd and greener landscapes…what more can one ask for 🙂

Also, I had no idea about this app waze…thanks for sharing 🙂

Minimum of 2 weeks? Wow! As you say, one just doesn’t think of such a long stay in the tiny place. Good to know that Costa Rica has so much to offer. I’d definitely take the guided nature tour. The view from the sky are splendid.

Nice reading about all the tips for planning a trip to costa rica. I can’t agree more with your choices.

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nice post thanks for sharing n keep it up

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this post really amazing.

Excellent in every way. Thinking of including this beautiful country in my next travel plans. Thanks.

I am looking to go to the Osa Peninsula but have never been to Costa Rica. I will be staying at a new Place called Osa Falls Resort. It will be completed soon and it’s on the Osa Peninsula. Any do’s and don’t?

Hey! I have not been to the Osa Peninsula actually. Sorry, I can’t help answer your question.

Thank you for sharing amazing tips. Very well organized pictures and content.

Thank you, very informative post! I completely agree, one week is nowhere near enough time to fully enjoy they beauty of Costa Rica. Went two years ago for a week and came back the next year. Make sure to research and plan before going to make the most with your time over there. Amazing place!

Awesome post. This place seems to be very interesting and full of fun. I would love to add it it my bucket list and now can’t wait to explore it. Your tips are also very helpful. Keep sharing such interesting and informative posts.

Cool post! The trip to Costa Rica is really a wonderful experience. I am really interested in traveling too 🙂 Thanks again !

I travelled a lot and have seen so many places but this will be my first time in Costa Rica. I found your post so useful for me. Many thanks for sharing all the information and tips.

If you are flying in to the airport during business hours you can buy up to six bottles of liquor or wine at the duty free store just before you clear customs. Liquor is just as expensive or more expensive in the grocery store than it is at home. There is also a 13% sales tax on almost everything along with a 10% service tax on all restraunt meals which makes it 23% added on to all restraunt meals.If you are using a foreign credit card most credit cards will charge items in colones and use the bank daily exchange rate to change them to US$ and then convert the Us dollar to your country’s currency. This can amount up to an extra 10% just on credit card and exchange rates. ATM s are available in most popular tourist towns but are usually limited to a maximum of 200$ per day. If you carry Us dollars that are accepted everywhere . If menus are priced in $ you will get dollar for dollar but if the menu is in colones most restraunt only give you 500 colones per $ when the posted bank rate just hit 600 colones. If you don’t rent a car(short term approx100$ day with full insurance)interbus and or grey line bus will pick you up from your hotel and deliver you to your next hotelat a very reasonable rate I would not go anywhere in CR pre-christmas or at Easter vacation very very expensive. The best times to go are June July, November. If you are driving beware of all the crazy motorcyclists everywhere. Enjoy your stay it is more than worth it to see this country at least once

There are great tips and good posts to travel in Costa Rica.

thanks for the information

Thank you for sharing this information. It was very useful and interesting.

Interesting place. I am glad that my family has planned a trip to Costa Rica next week as it’s so much fun and I am sure our trip will be full of excitement and enjoyment. I would love to share your post with my dad and relatives so that we can see each and every attraction there. Keep posting such wonderful places attractions.

I am sure that these are gonna help out soo nicely.

An additional note on driving, bridges in CR require the drivers attention. To save money, bridges on most roads reduce lanes.  A two lane road will choke down to one lane. There is signage in Spanish to let you know which direction has right of way. Even on the multi-lane highway, bridges choke down to one lane. It is an unusual experience.

I love to visit Costa Rica. Very helpful post for me. Great informations. Thanks!!!!

These are great tips! This definitely wants me to go and visit Costa Rica. Think that is is really helpful that you suggested to buy a sim card. Also, I didn’t realise that it was going to be expensive. This has been very helpful for my future planning.

Would love to visit Costa Rica. More beautiful is the way you have captured it.

This is great tips! This definitely wants me to go and visit Costa Rica. Thanks for sharing your information.

Costa Rica is an amazing place for nature, birds and wildlife lovers, the small country has so much to offer from tropical rain forests, cloud forests, volcanic mountains, so many variety of birds, wildlife, beautiful beaches!

Great post!

Words cannot explain the love can feel when connecting with the Pura Vida vibe of Costa Rica. A very magical and special place that should be a bucket list item for everyone.

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• Tips for travelers
• Planning Your Trip

Tips for travel to Costa Rica

We want you to get to know every corner of our beautiful country, travel like a local, enjoy and be safe, having in mind the following recommendations:.

Some travelers require a visa to visit Costa Rica, so check the list of countries before you buy your ticket and verify the entry requirements according to the country where your passport was issued.

Costa Rica is a place where nature always rules and the adventure awaits, just remember:

• Book tours offered by authorized travel agencies
• Always check the local weather conditions and forecasts before you take a tour.
• Make sure the tour guide provides you the safety instructions and the activity´s regulation before starting the tour.
• Ensure the company has the operating permit of the Ministry of Health, insurance policies and certified tour guides.

Going on adventure safely

Tips for rafting & kayak, enjoy the zip line.

Live exhilarating adventures in any of our rivers like Sarapiquí, Río Peñas Blancas, Balsa, Río Toro, Pacuare, Savegre, Río Reventazón and Naranjo. Always wear a life vest, helmet and use an oar. Wear protective gear: waterproof shoes, tennis shoes or similar, shorts, shirt, or bathing suit, as well as sunscreen. Bring a towel, clothing and shoes to change after the tour. The minimum age varies according to the type of tour, the season, the river´s level and the policies of the company. Generally, 8 years old is the minimum age for the tour. It is important for you to know how to swim. Avoid bringing anything of value. Companies will provide an "Acknowledgement of Risk and Release of Liability" waiver for you to read, fill out and sign. Be sure that you receive safety instructions from the tour guide, before and during the tour. The maximum weight allowed per person is 135 kg or 300 lbs.

How fast can you go on a zip line? Up to 90 miles? You must check it out!!! Be sure that the guides give the necessary instruction before starting such as the braking system, how to situate yourself along the cables, knee-bending, etc. Check that the harness, helmet, and security cable are properly in place before pushing off. Ziplining is permitted for 6 years old and up, with a minimum weight of 48.5 lbs. (22 kg) and a height of 4.75 ft (1.45 m). Weight should not exceed 300 lbs. (135 kg), and height, 7ft. (2.15 meters).

Live the adrenaline on four wheels! Remember to wear a helmet, appropriate clothing, eye protection, and preferably boots and gloves. Four wheelers are not to be ridden by minors under 16 years old. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking on slippery surfaces. Try to travel in groups, accompanied by an experienced tour guide, using the necessary communication equipment. In Costa Rica, it is prohibited to ride four wheelers along the beach or heavy trafficked roads. Avoid dangerous or sandy slopes.

& Climbing

Horseback riding.

Hundreds of waterfalls are waiting for you! Remember to check local weather conditions and forecasts before going rappelling and before the climb. Wear comfortable and durable shoes, light-weight clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent. Be sure to bring along the necessary equipment and secure it before starting the excursion.

Ride in the most beautiful landscapes and mountains! Don´t forget to wear a helmet, long pants, durable shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. Avoid shouts or sudden movements near the horse, as you could startle it. Be alert along the trail and enjoy the ride.

Biking through the Ruta de los Conquistadores is one big challenge! When you go biking, before setting out, become familiar with the route, type of slopes and necessary equipment. Wear the proper equipment like helmet, knee pads, shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, reflective clothes or vest, and bring a small tool kit. Check the bike condition before setting out. It is recommended to ride in groups with an experienced tour guide.

Sport Fishing Tips

Hiking essentials.

Check the weather and ocean conditions before setting out. Everybody on board must wear a life vest. Make sure the boat has a first aid kit on board. Before casting your line into the water, make sure there is no one behind you. Protective gloves are recommended. Wear a cap or brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, light-weight clothes, and appropriate footwear to protect your feet against sharp objects and slipping. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other types of drugs while on the boat. Always fish with someone who is experienced in the sport. Request the name of the location or the nearest town for guidance in case of an emergency.

You can´t miss the waves and cool waters; just remember to always stay alert about ocean conditions since they are dynamic and constantly changing. Avoid surfing in ocean conditions that are beyond your skill level. If you are a beginner, look for areas to surf with few people around. If surf lessons are offered in the area, make sure an expert give them. Don´t leave your belongings unattended at the beach. Use sunscreen. On some beaches, there may be crocodiles, so just ask people around before surfing.

Costa Rica is full of amazing hikes and adventures so be sure to back a good pair of walking shoes. Thoroughly enjoy your time while feeling comfortable! Wear light-weight clothes, cap or brimmed hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Bring snacks and water. Check local weather conditions and forecasts before the hike and bring a poncho. If you need information regarding the trail ask a professional tour guide or a local. Avoid hiking in virgin forests and unmapped shortcuts. Let someone know about your route and estimated time of return. If you are traveling in a group, stay together on the same trail. Avoid touching or eating fruits, and tasting plants that you are unfamiliar with. In Costa Rica, it is prohibited to remove and sell wild plants or animal species.

Infographics for your safety

Inoculations

The health care system in Costa Rica is very good, both private and public. Although, basic vaccines for hepatitis A and B are recommended, as well as rabies and tetanus, before making the trip.

The government of Costa Rica requires the yellow fever vaccine certificate when traveling from countries in Africa (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan), Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and the Republic of Guyana. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before the start date of your trip.

Solo Female Travel

We want you to enjoy exploring the beauty and culture of our country. And if you are traveling alone, please take the following precautions:

• Use official transportation only.
• Avoid walking, jogging, or sightseeing alone in secluded areas, especially at night.
• Do not share the details of your itinerary on social media or with strangers.
• Understand the risks of traveling alone and being with people you do not know.
• You can trust the police. They are here to help you.
• Always keep in touch with your family and friends.
• In case of emergency or suspicious behavior, dial 9-1-1.

Imagine you find yourself running low on bottled water and your only source is the water from the tap. You’re in luck! The tap water in Costa Rica is completely drinkable.

The biggest meal of the day in Costa Rica is lunch. Make lunch the main meal of your day and save your money for more adventures. Head to a soda (a small, locally owned cafe) or the local market for the freshest and most authentic cuisine. It is easy to find restaurants, sodas, cafes, bistros, and bakeries. The cuisine is quite extensive and includes both national and international options. In restaurants and hotels, 13% Value Added Tax and a 10% tip are included in the final price; however, if you are more than happy with the service and want to leave a gratuity, it will be welcome.

An unlocked cell phone will work in Costa Rica. But remember to call your wireless provider before you go to add global roaming capabilities to your plan. You can also buy a SIM prepaid card and use your unlocked cell phone in Costa Rica. Find SIM cards at the Kolbi (the national telecommunications company) booth at the airport, or in any telephone company store around, such as Claro and Movistar. A local line is not required to dial 9-1-1 just in case of emergency.

Traveling on a budget? No problem. Costa Rica has a ton a things to do for travelers on almost any budget:

• The colón is the currency of Costa Rica.
• US$ dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted.
• Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices. Check exchange rate here
• Bank transactions require a valid passport (not a copy nor a picture).
• ATMs are located throughout the country. Some of them remain closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Remember not to flash your cash.
• Sales tax or Value Added Tax (VAT) is 13%. It is included in the final price of every service or product purchase.
• The departure tax should be included in most of the airline tickets. For those flight tickets where it is duly stipulated that they do not include the departure tax, you must pay $29 per person, either in dollars, colones (local currency), credit or debit card.

It’s always best to travel light

When you’re headed to Costa Rica, travel light. If there’s a way to avoid checking baggage, do it. Play it safe and carry on. You’ll be able to take advantage of hotel wash rooms and laundromats on your journey and the less you have to keep up with, the better. If you are checking baggage, remember to weigh bags before you get to the airport. Try to pack only what is necessary, cool clothes that are easy to wash and dry, since airlines and tour operators have weight restrictions on luggage, and you will probably move from one place to another. Include in your luggage all the medication you may need if you have a medical condition, since some medications in Costa Rica require a certified prescription.

We want you to have an incredible time exploring Costa Rica safely:

• Always take care of all your belongings and valuables, even when traveling by bus.
• Carry your backpack in front of you.
• Avoid unsolicited help from strangers.
• Avoid walking in isolated places and places without lighting.
• Check your map and mobile phone in secure areas.

Keeping safe on the road

Driving a car in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to navigate the beautiful landscape at your leisure. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you begin your adventure.

• If you experience a mechanical issue or a flat tire avoid stopping in lonely places and don’t accept unsolicited help from strangers. It is better to call the Rent-a-Car or dial 9-1-1 to request help.
• Don’t leave any valuables unattended in your car – such as credit cards, cash, jewelry, or your passport. Use public parking lot with surveillance.
• Use a GPS or a GPS navigation app. It’ll save time and prove convenient when exploring. Just make sure you have a chip or an international data plan!
• The terrain can get more adventurous depending on where you choose to go. So keep that in mind when renting your vehicle.
• Verify the condition of the car and its required safety equipment (warning triangles, reflective vests, lug nut wrench, spare tire and a fire extinguisher).
• When renting the car, read the contract thoroughly to understand what is covered and what is not. Ask for details of car policies and insurance. Be aware of all the details about the insurance policies.

Looking for a place to stay?

Mountain Lodge? All inclusive hotels? Luxury? Mountain and beach? Cozy cabins for a romantic outing or honeymoon? A hostel maybe? And more difficult is deciding among the hundreds of lodging options that Costa Rica offers you, and a wide variety for all budgets

• No matter which one you choose, when booking a hotel ask for a written confirmation of the service and cancelation policy.
• Do not give any information about your debit or credit card over the phone.
• Outlets are 110 V, with standard US two prong plugs. Use the hotel’s safe-deposit box.
• When you go on a tour close to your hotel, bring a copy of your passport.
• Ask the front desk for the safest routes and means of transportation, especially at nighttime.

When you’re headed on vacation, the idea is to keep it as stress-free as possible. Pay attention to the little things to avoid any snags. BRING THE RIGHT SHOES! There are a ton of fun things to do in Costa Rica and you don’t want your footwear to limit you or give you blisters. A pair of sandals and some decent sneakers should do fine. If you plan on doing some serious hiking or climbing, consider some heavier duty options.

Feel The Sand

• Costa Rica is a year-round destination! Go get a tan, go surfing and walk on the beach, but don't leave your belongings alone when you do.
• Ask locals or surfers about the beach conditions and about rip currents.
• If someone is at risk, and you haven't been trained in first aid, seek for help.
• When traveling with friends, don't joke around in a way that may put your life or others at risk.
• Keep children, elderly people or people with physical limitations close to you, and avoid swimming alone.

Local Language

Many Costa Ricans speak English quite well, but remember the native tongue is rooted in Spanish. When you’re planning a trip, we suggest brushing up on your Español. Download some audio lessons on your mobile device and listen while traveling or keep a pocket translator handy. Chat with the locals–maybe they can suggest an excursion you had not planned on!

Planning your Trip to Costa Rica

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Caribbean , Costa Rica · May 5, 2022

The Perfect 5 Day Costa Rica Itinerary

Planning a trip to Costa Rica can be a bit overwhelming. There is so much to see and do that it is hard to narrow it down. However, this 5 day Costa Rica itinerary will help you make the most of your trip. It includes stops in San Jose, Poas, La Fortuna, Arenal, and more!

* Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase or book a reservation through the provided link then we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We really appreciate your support!

The Best Things to do in Costa Rica if You Only Have 5 Days

Table of Contents

Day 1: san josé, day 2: poás volcano and la paz waterfall gardens, day 3: catarata del toro, blue falls of costa rica, and the springs resort, day 4: mistico hanging bridges park, rio celeste, and the springs resort, day 5: arenal, zipline tour, la fortuna, and san jose.

This day will be flexible, depending on what time you fly into the Juan Santamaria Aiport in San José. You’ll also need to rent a car at the airport for this Costa Rica itinerary.

If you arrive early enough, consider booking a walking tour of San José’s city center. The tours are led by locals and it is the best way to get a taste of the history and culture of Costa Rica’s capital city.

If you would like to explore more of the city, you can also take a bus tour that will allow you to see more sites in a shorter amount of time.

If you arrive later in the afternoon, grab a quick bite to eat before heading out of the city.

A few restaurant recommendations include Café de los Deseos , a casual eatery with a fun ambiance and delicious tacos!

For traditional and budget-friendly Costa Rican dishes, try Soda Yogui’s .

If you’re looking for a fine-dining experience to relax and unwind after a day of travel, make reservations at Grano de Oro . This restaurant is located in the upscale Grano de Oro boutique hotel.

After getting a taste of San José, literally, head out of the city to explore more of the countryside.

Drive about an hour north to Poasito, a small mountain town in the Alajuela region where you will spend the night at the Altura Hotel .

This eclectic boutique hotel is tucked into the mountains and surrounded by beautiful secluded gardens.

The property is unique and the rooms are basic, but they are clean, comfortable, and affordable.

The hotel is also conveniently located just outside Poás Volcano National Park.

If your flight gets in later in the evening, I would avoid driving at night and just book a hotel near the airport. This Marriott is only about 10 minutes from SJO International Airport.

A delicious homecooked breakfast is included when staying at Altura Hotel.

Wake up early to enjoy this traditional Costa Rican breakfast, then head off to explore Poás Volcano National Park about 10 minutes away.

Volcán Poás National Park

Volcán Poás is the largest active crater in the world. It stretches almost a mile in diameter and is about 1,000 feet deep with a bright blue pool in the center.

In 2017 it erupted gas, ash, and rocks. The park was closed for more than a year while they fixed the damage and determined if there was still the threat of another eruption.

You can even see holes still marked in the pavement from the spewing debris.

The park has now reopened, but all of the hiking trails are closed for safety reasons, except the 10-minute walk to the overlook.

Tick e ts are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance. The tours run every 20 minutes and everyone is required to wear a hard hat.

The tour begins with an informational film before taking the short walk along a paved path to the overlook.

Just keep in mind that the overlook is often covered in clouds with zero visibility, so it is not a guarantee that you will actually see the crater.

It is also almost always cold and windy at the rim, so I would recommend bringing a jacket.

We were told that it is better to go early in the morning as the clouds tend to roll in during the afternoon. However, we booked the 8 am tour and the clouds were too thick to see anything.

The guides said that it was absolutely beautiful and clear the day before, so it really is hit and miss.

Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather conditions, but it’s still worth making reservations and hopefully, you’ll luck out and get a better view than we did!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

The 70-acre La Paz Waterfall Gardens is one of the best places to see waterfalls in Costa Rica. The two-mile trail leads through the cloud rainforest to five different waterfalls!

Each one is so unique and stunning, my personal favorite is the Templo Waterfall. Make your way down to the river level and you’ll find a beautiful secluded little sandy beach.

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens is also home to the largest butterfly observatory in the world and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica.

The animals in the sanctuary have all been rescued and given a second chance at life here at the sanctuary.

You’ll also want to grab lunch while you are here.

There are 6 different dining options on the property. We ate at the La Terraza, the food was delicious and the view was incredible!

For more information, see our guide to visiting the La Paz Waterfall Gardens !

Stay: Peace Lodge or Poas Volcano Lodge

The award-winning  Peace Lodge  is located at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

This luxury 5-star boutique mountain lodge is rated the #1 hotel in the region by  Tripadvisor .

It has also been featured on the Travel Channel’s  Trista and Ryan’s Honeymoon Hotspots International .

Condé Nast Traveler even voted The Peace Lodge as the 4th Best Resort in all of Central and South America.

If it is within your budget, it is worth splurging on a room for the night. Guests also receive access to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens free of charge and can even explore the gardens after hours.

If you are looking for a similar mountain lodge that is more budget-friendly, the nearby  Poas Volcano Lodge is also a great option.

Both hotels offer on-site restaurants where you can grab dinner and spend the evening relaxing in your rainforest retreat.

The next morning, grab a quick breakfast at the hotel then head out to chase more waterfalls!

Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica

Catarata del Toro and the Blue Falls of Costa Rica are located within a private rainforest preserve about an hour from the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

These waterfalls are unique in their own way and can both be accessed from the same parking lot.

Catarata del Toro is the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica.

The nearly 300-foot waterfall is located inside an ancient volcanic crater in the middle of the rainforest.

You’ll need to hike down over 350 stairs to reach it, but while standing at the bottom of the crater you’ll feel like you’re in Jurassic Park!

The Blue Falls of Costa Rica are a series of 5 blue waterfalls that can be found along an equally blue river.

There are also pools of blue water to swim in as well.

Just note that the water becomes muddy if it has been raining. That was the case when we visited so it wasn’t nearly as blue as it usually is.

After the hikes, there is a restaurant located at the visitor center where you can grab some lunch.

For more information about the trails, see our guide to Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica .

The Springs Resort & Spa

From there, make the almost 2-hour drive to La Fortuna where you can relax and unwind in the hot springs at The Springs Resort and Spa .

The resort offers two-day guest passes where you can enjoy the unparalleled views of Arenal Volcano while relaxing in the secluded hot springs.

This dreamy resort was even featured in two different seasons of The Bachelor!

You’ll find a heated pool with a swim-up bar and several terraced pools scattered throughout the rainforest.

You can even take a shuttle bus down to the river where you’ll discover even more remote hot springs.

There are a few different dining options at the resort.

Grab some dinner then drive to Sangregado Lodge where you’ll stay for the next few days.

Stay: Sangregado Lodge

Make the 20-minute drive to Arenal where you’ll check into the  Sangregado Lodge .

This small family-owned boutique hotel offers a collection of treehouses perched over the rainforest.

Each of the modern rooms boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with sliding glass doors that open up to a spacious deck.

The bathrooms also have soaker tubs or showers surrounded by glass where you can shower in the trees while listening to the sounds of the rainforest.

Settle into the comfy beds and get a good night’s sleep so you’ll be well-rested for the next day’s adventures!

Breakfast is included with your stay at Sangregado Lodge. It is served at the Blue Hibiscus Restaurant just down the road.

This open-air restaurant offers a delicious continental breakfast with local dishes and fresh fruit.

After breakfast, head to the Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. This park is located right across from the Sangregado Lodge.

Mistico Hanging Bridges Park

I would recommend starting your day early and making 8 am reservations for the Mistico Hanging Bridges Park.

This private rainforest preserve consists of a 2-mile trail with 6 suspension bridges leading through the forest.

The suspension bridges offer a unique view over the jungle canopy and across to Arenal Volcano.

This is also one of the best places to spot wildlife such as sloths, anteaters, coatis, monkeys, snakes, ocelots, peccaries, lizards, frogs, snakes, tropical birds, and more.

However, it is often difficult to see the animals as they are expertly camouflaged in the jungle.

I would recommend taking a guided tour with a certified naturalist to ensure that you will be able to see some of the native wildlife.

Here is another option for a guided tour  if you would like to compare.

Rio Celeste Waterfall

After spending the morning at Mistico park, drive about 1 hour and 45 minutes to the Rio Celeste Waterfall located within Tenorio Volcano National Park.

The park closes at 4 pm and the last entrance is at 2 pm, so just be sure to plan accordingly.

If you want to grab lunch before the hike, the Los Pilones restaurant is located near the trailhead as well as a handful of food vendors and fruit stands.

The 3.5-mile roundtrip trail leads to the brilliant blue Rio Celeste Waterfall. It is perhaps the most beautiful waterfall in the country and should definitely be added to your Costa Rica itinerary.

The Rio Celeste Waterfall is located a little before the one-mile mark and you’ll find a series of stairs leading down to the base of the falls.

After visiting the waterfall, you can choose to continue on the trail along the river to see a few more sites, or just turn around and go back.

For more information and details, see our guide to visiting the Rio Celeste Waterfall .

The Springs Resort and Spa

The day passes at The Springs Resort and Spa are valid for two days so you can spend another evening unwinding in the hot springs after a day of hiking.

The hot springs are open until 10 pm so you can enjoy dinner here as well before returning back to your room at Sangregado Lodge.

Wake up early, enjoy the complimentary breakfast at the Blue Hibiscus Restaurant, then pack up and head out.

Arenal Volcano

Spend a few hours in the morning exploring the hiking trails around Arenal Volcano.

If you have time, you may want to consider  booking a guided hike where your local guide will help you discover different animals such as armadillos, monkeys, sloths, and tree frogs.

You could also take a morning  paddleboarding tour  at Lake Arenal or an ATV tour .

Zipline Tour

Costa Rica is known for having some of the best ziplining in the world and it definitely earns a spot on your Costa Rica itinerary!

I would highly recommend booking an afternoon  Adrenaline Combo  tour with Arenal Mundo Aventura.

This tour will take you on seven different zip lines, one of which soars over the majestic 230-foot La Fortuna Waterfall.

Another highlight of the tour includes a 260-foot rappel down the side of a waterfall.

You’ll then climb back up the waterfall along a narrow ladder. The whole experience is unreal!

After completing the zipline course, you’ll then take a horseback ride through the jungle back to the beginning.

The whole tour took us about 2 hours, but it could take longer if you have a larger group.

There is a restaurant located at the entrance where you can grab some lunch before you take the tour.

If you have time, you can even hike down and swim in the La Fortuna Waterfall.

For more details on this particular zipline tour, see our guide for the Best Things to do in La Fortuna .

The last stop on your Costa Rica itinerary is the small town of La Fortuna where you’ll grab dinner before making the long drive back to San Jose.

We ate at Pollo Fortuneno, a budget-friendly restaurant specializing in grilled chicken and barbecue ribs. The food was delicious, it had a great ambiance, and the service was friendly.

A few other options include the Lava Lounge Bar & Grill, Yellow Bark, or Restaurante Travesia.

After dinner, make the three-hour drive back to San Jose.

Or, if you prefer not to drive at night along the narrow mountain roads, I would recommend doing a morning zipline tour and then grabbing lunch at La Fortuna before driving to San Jose in the afternoon.

Either way, plan to spend the night in San Jose near the airport so that you will be ready to catch your flight in the morning.

As mentioned before, we would recommend this Marriott about 10 minutes from the airport.

While you could easily spend a month in Costa Rica and still not see it all, I hope that this 5 day Costa Rica itinerary will help you make the most of your time there!

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About Jamie

Family travel expert and content creator who has been inpsiring millions with her travel guides since 2018.

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Costa Rica Travel Information

Costa Rica Itineraries Created by Mytanfeet

February 3, 2024 By Sammi 79 Comments

Are you looking for sample Costa Rica itineraries? In this post, I have outlined our favorite Costa Rica itineraries for 4 days to 1 month which should be very helpful for your Costa Rica trip planning.

What You Will Find In These Costa Rica Itineraries

We have created many Costa Rica itineraries for our family and friends and Yeison was an itinerary planner when he worked for a Costa Rican travel agency, so we know exactly what to include and what information is important. Feel free to change them up according to your own wants and needs!

Destination Information

Each itinerary contains a short snippet of important information about each destination such as what the place is known for and the highlights of the area. These itineraries are to give you a kickstart to your Costa Rica itinerary planning. They also have maps and routes so you can see where exactly you are going.

Transportation

How to get around this itinerary. Distance and driving times from San Jose and Liberia Airport. Also has information on how to get around each destination.

Where to stay , what to eat, what to do

Our recommendations for hotels, hostels, lodges and Airbnb/vacation rentals. Also includes recommendations for restaurants and things to do and day tours.

An estimation of how much you will spend for that itinerary, particularly on hotels and tours.

Extra Travel Tips

Miscellaneous travel tips related to the Costa Rica itineraries. Kid friendly? Better for couples? Things to know about certain destinations, tours, etc. Recommendations for other beaches and towns to visit/stay nearby. What to pack. Weather. All that kind of good stuff so you are prepared for your trip.

We include our own Mytanfeet exclusive discounts so you can save money on car rentals, hotels and tours. There are also helpful links to other posts and resources in the itineraries so you can be fully prepared for your trip.

I’ll be updating this post whenever I write new itineraries so don’t forget to check back!

One Month Coast to Coast

Destinations: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Hermosa, Samara, Manuel Antonio, Uvita and Drake Bay.

This itinerary goes to both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica. Must rent a car for the ultimate road trip adventure. If you don’t rent a car, you will have to book shared/private shuttles.

Must fly into and out of SJO (San Jose International Airport).

For adventure, beach, wildlife and nature lovers looking to experience the best of Costa Rica all in one trip. Ideal for active travelers: solo travelers, couples, backpackers and older families.

Click to read our Costa Rica 1 month itinerary .

Two Weeks Beach, Adventure, Nature, Forest

Destinations: La Fortuna, Monteverde, Santa Teresa and Playas del Coco

Fly into LIR or SJO Airport, must fly out of LIR Airport.

Includes beach, rainforest, volcano, cloud forest, adventure and relaxation. Ideal for any traveler as it has a mix of relaxation, beach time and some adventure. Good for solo travelers, backpackers, couples and families. Can get around by public bus, shuttles or driving.

Click to read our two week Costa Rica itinerary.

Two Weeks: Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Jaco/Manuel Antonio

Destinations: Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Jaco/Manuel Antonio

Must fly into and out of SJO Airport

This itinerary goes coast to coast so you’ll experience both the Caribbean and Pacific. Includes rainforest, beach, volcano and cloud forest. Plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, relax, and go on adventures. It’s an active itinerary so good for couples, solo travelers and active families. Can get around via tour interconnections, taxi-boat, public bus, driving or shuttles.

Click to read our 2 week coast to coast itinerary.

Two Weeks: Tamarindo, Monteverde, Bijagua and Rincon de la Vieja

Destinations: Monteverde, Bijagua, Rincon de la Vieja and Tamarindo. Visits the cloud forest, rainforest, volcano and beach.

Must fly in and depart from LIR Airport. You must rent a car – 4wd or at least a car with high clearance.

Is ideal for those who like hiking and nature – this Costa Rica itinerary goes to just 1 beach town so more rainforest, less beach. This itinerary focuses a good deal on hiking to see the dry and tropical rainforests so travelers need to be active and avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Click to read our 2 weeks hiking, cloud forest and beach itinerary.

13 Days Without a Car: Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna & Monteverde

Destinations: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, La Fortuna and Monteverde

Fly in and out of SJO Airport

This itinerary was created specifically for those who do not plan to rent a car. It is also geared for those who are more on a budget and/or are backpackers. Has beaches, volcano, rainforest, adventure, relaxation and cloud forest.

Click the link to read our 13 days in Costa Rica itinerary.

11 Days Classic: La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio

Destinations: La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio

This itinerary visits three classic tourist destinations in Costa Rica, making it an ideal trip for first time visitors. It has a mix of wildlife, relaxation and adventure but isn’t too crazy. Plenty of beach days with a great overall experience at the rainforest and cloud forest.

Click here to read the Costa Rica 11 days itinerary .

10 Days Chasing Waterfalls: Bijagua, Bajos del Toro and Manuel Antonio

Destinations: Bijagua, Bajos del Toro and Manuel Antonio

Fly into LIR Airport, fly out of SJO Airport

This itinerary is dedicated to waterfall hikes and goes to some of the most popular waterfalls in Costa Rica. You will be extremely busy as there is a significant amount of driving time and lots of hiking/walking. Renting a car is required. This itinerary is not for those looking to relax or be at the beach the whole time – it is for active travelers who love hiking, waterfalls and rainforest.

Click to read our Costa Rica 10 day waterfall itinerary.

10 Day Itinerary: San Jose, Puerto Viejo and Manuel Antonio

Destinations: San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Manuel Antonio

Fly in and out of SJO Airport.

This itinerary goes to both Pacific and Caribbean coast, stopping in each destination for a few days so you will also see the city of San Jose. Can get around by shuttles, driving or public bus. You will have beach, nature, wildlife, city, culture and relaxation in this specific itinerary. Good for solo travelers, couples, families, backpackers.

Click to read our 10 days Costa Rica itinerary.

One Week Itinerary: Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Uvita

Destinations: Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Uvita

This one week itinerary goes fast as you are visiting three destinations in 7 days. Luckily, they are all a short drive of each other. You will experience beach, rainforest and nature but you will not have a ton of time to do excursions so you need to manage your time and choose your activities wisely. Good for couples, backpackers and solo travelers who want to see more places in less time and don’t care too much about doing tours.

Click to read our one week Costa Rica Central and South Pacific itinerary.

Costa Rica Family Itineraries: 7/8 days (2 itineraries)

Two family itineraries in one post.

Itinerary 1 La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio

Fly in and out of SJO Airport. Good for all families of all ages, including multi generational families. Has the mix of rainforest, volcano, relaxation, adventure, culture and beach. Goes to two of the most touristic destinations in Costa Rica so plenty of hotels and services, well paved roads in the routes and lots to do. Can travel via car or private shuttles.

Itinerary 2 Samara and Bijagua

Fly in and out of LIR Airport. Good for families looking for lesser touristic destinations. Samara is still touristy but not as busy or touristy as other beach destinations. Bijagua is a small rural farming town home to the Tenorio Volcano National Park, many hotels have a working farm so it’s great for kids to interact with livestock and learn about Costa Rican farm life. Limited hotels to choose from in Bijagua. Will need to rent a car.

Click to read our Costa Rica family itineraries (7/8 days).

Costa Rica Itinerary 8 days: Playas del Coco and La Fortuna

Destinations: Playas del Coco and La Fortuna

Fly in and out of LIR Airport.

Ideal itinerary for first timers or anyone who wants a simple trip to plan. Lots of hotels and things to do and see with a mix of rainforest, volcano and beach. Great for any traveler, all families, couples, solo travelers, backpackers, luxury travelers. Can rent a car or book shuttles. Can also use public transportation but must plan carefully between Playas del Coco and La Fortuna as it requires 3 buses.

Click to read our Costa Rica 8 days itinerary.

Tamarindo 5 Days (1 week total)

Total 1 week itinerary but day 1 is flying in, day 7 is flying out so this itinerary has 5 full days in Tamarindo.

Great for families who only have 1 week (like spring break) or those who want to stay at the beach as a home base.

Click to read our Tamarindo 5 days itinerary .

Guanacaste 5 Days

This sample 5 day Guanacaste itinerary helps you decide where in Guanacaste to stay, what to do and how to get around.

Main areas discussed in this post: Papagayo Peninsula/Playas del Coco, Tamarindo/Flamingo, Samara/Nosara and La Cruz.

Click to read our Guanacaste 5 days itinerary.

San Jose 5 Days

How to spend 5 days in the capital city of Costa Rica: San Jose

Click to read our San Jose 5 days itinerary.

5 Days Arenal and Monteverde

This sample 5 day itinerary in Arenal and Monteverde helps you figure out where to stay, what to do, how to get around and how many days to stay in Arenal and how many days to stay in Monteverde.

Click to read our Arenal and Monteverde 5 days itinerary.

Reader Interactions

March 10, 2024

This is such a great website, thanks for all the info. We are going to be in Costa Rica first week of June for 8 full days on the ground (10 days if you count the days we fly into and out of SJO). Traveling with two middle school children, and possibly renting a car. Would it be too much to fit La Fortuna, Monteverde, and then Manual Antonio NP? Alternatively we could do La Fortuna, Monteverde, and then stay at a Marriott resort in Los Suenos near Jaco (with hotel points for free)–though I don’t know if it’s worth going to Los Suenos only for that reason.

If you think three locations is too much, then we could spend more time in La Fortuna and Monteverde areas, or perhaps find something in between there and SJO. We would love to see the turtles in Ostional, but not sure if it’s worth going that far just for the (low?) possibility of seeing the turtles or not.

March 12, 2024

For just 8 full days with kids, I’d pick just two destinations, like La Fortuna and then Los Suenos. You could fit in Monteverde but you’d only be able to really stay one or two nights and it’d be a lot of travel time in between destinations, I’d do just La Fortuna and Los suenos/Manuel Antonio and enjoy with enough days in between travel days, especially as June is the start of our rainy season. Ostional is quite far from where you will be, I don’t recommend it especially since you plan to fly in and out of SJO.

March 5, 2024

We are visiting Playa Hermosa with a rental car and staying at a Vrbo. We want to snorkel and see rinco de la vieja. What other places do you recommend around this area? Thank you. Your website is very helpful.

Hello Laura, you can check our guide (it works for Hermosa GTE too): day trips from Playas del Coco . Our favorite snorkeling tour you can read about here: Boating in Playas del Coco and here is our guide to Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Hugo Armstrong says

February 28, 2024

Hi, I am travelling south America but have managed to squeeze in a week or so in Costa Rica. I am a confident and outgoing 18 year old solo traveller and so would like to be surrounded by like minded individuals, however not too fussed on their age.

Of course I like to party but am not interested in overly touristy nightclub based sort of towns, I would like to strike a good balance in-between an authentic and engaging experience with also the social aspect of backpacking.

What would be your recommended itinerary, based off my brief description?

Hello Hugo, definitely La Fortuna and if you want a beach town, I’d recommend Puerto Viejo de Talamanca or Uvita . Uvita is pretty quiet though so if you want something a bit livelier, perhaps Manuel Antonio .

November 27, 2023

Hi, we intended to have 4 nights in downtown SJO on arrival prior to our tour….first night flight arrives in the evening so no plans, however my concern is that you shouldnt walk around at night. We will want to eat out and would usually wander around until we find somewhere with atmosphere but now Im put off staying so long. What do you think ? Many thanks Marie

November 28, 2023

Hi Marie, I would personally say 4 nights in San Jose is a bit too much unless you are planning to use it as a home base for day trips from San Jose . But if you are only staying to see the city, I would say 2 nights, max 3 is plenty enough as the city is not that big and you can actually see downtown and many cultural sights in just one day.

As for getting around at night – Uber unless you are walking just one block or so from your lodging. Otherwise, definitely Uber.

Maggie says

April 30, 2023

Hello! My husband and I are booking a trip to Manuel Antonio and Punta Islita. We are flight from Quepos to San Jose and then San Jose to Nosara using SansaAir. How long of a layover do you think we should plan for? Our options are 50 minutes or 3 hours. Thank you! Your website has been very helpful for us.

May 1, 2023

I would personally go with the 3 hours one just in case they have a delay in your first flight

April 17, 2023

Hi! For a 5 day – 7 day trip in Late May, would Tamarindo have a better chance of being dry / less rain (flying into LIR) than going to the central pacific Manuel Antonio area (flying into SJO)?

April 19, 2023

Generally yes and apparently on the news I read that the rainy season won’t really start until about June this year but Manuel Antonio is the tropical rainforest so it’ll probably still rain there but up in the dry tropical forest it’s generally still drier

April 7, 2023

Would you suggest renting a car or just using transportation for hire ? Also, doing sky trek and thinking of doing hanging bridges there versus mystico?

April 14, 2023

Hello Tara, our team has emailed you with more info

Rebecca says

January 23, 2023

This is a last minute trip to CR and our first time. We are flying into LIR on 1/27 and staying in Santa Teresa for 9 days. Where would you recommend we visit while there? On the 9th day we are flying to San Jose and will drive to Guacimo for the remainder of our stay. What would you recommend on that side of the island that isnt too far from our hotel (no more than 3 hours)? I really appreciate the feedback.

January 24, 2023

Hi there, you can check our Santa Teresa, Costa Rica guide for more information. I’m not sure which island you’re going to though since Santa Teresa is on a peninsula and Guacimo is inland.

Anju Lashkari says

January 15, 2023

Hi there! My husband and I are planning a 1st time trip in April for 9 nights. After reading through your many recommendations, I believe the following is reasonable but would love your guidance. Land in San Jose; spend the night and head out the next morning to Arenal/La Fortuna; then onto Monteverde; and finally to Manuel Antonio area and finally making our way back to San Jose to fly back to the US. My questions really have to do with does this route make sense, and how do I find private drivers for the main city to city transportation? Also, is it easy to get around Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, sights from the hotels without a rental car? Where is the best white water rafting area? Thanks for your guidance. P.S. I love your site! Thank you for all the information!

Hello Anju, you can check this itinerary which is exactly where you want to go: Costa Rica 11 days itinerary

If you’d like to book private shuttles, feel free to contact us, it is perfectly fine to book private shuttles and not a rental car as long as you book a hotel in town/tourism hub and not far out. Pretty much all tours will include transportation in case you want to do some excursion.

For white water rafting, La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio have the best.

We offer discounts for tours in both places which you can check on this page here: Costa Rica discounts page

Theresa L. says

October 15, 2022

Hi Sammi. Thanks for your blog. So much great information. Question regarding car rental from Adobe. Our flight is scheduled to land at SJO around 10:30pm. By the time we get through customs, I assume it will be 11:30pm or later. Is it still possible to pick up our car rental that late? I understand Adobe will deliver the car to our hotel for no extra charge if we stay at a hotel within 12 or so miles of the airport. But they won’t deliver it until 7:30am at the earliest. Any suggestions on how we can get the car earlier so we can get an early start on our vacation activities? Thanks.

October 17, 2022

Hi Theresa, that is OK if your flight lands late, if you want to get the car when you land at 1030 PM, Adobe will station an agent to wait for you so you can collect the car when you land that night. You will just need to write a quick note in the comment section of the reservation page that you want the car when you land at that time, you can use the widget on our Costa Rica car rental discount booking page and write the note in the comment section

Tracey Picasso says

October 7, 2022

Hi Sam – thanks for your fabulous site – it’s been sooo helpful. My family are travelling to CR in January and I have drawn up an itinerary for 14 days but I’m worrying that it might be too much time spent on the road? San Jose – Fortuna Fortuna – Monteverde Monteverde – San Jose (1 night) San Jose – Tortuguero Tortuguero – Puerto Viejo Puerto Viejo – San Jose I am being too ambitious? We will be renting a car. Any advise you can give me would be very much appreciated. Thank you

You can do this itinerary although you’d really only be able to spend like 1-2 full days in each destination so if you don’t want to be on the move constantly or if you want to have more time in one place, I’d spend just 1 day in Monteverde or cut it out and then choose either Tortuguero or Puerto Viejo depending on how many days you plan for each.

Julie Riley says

September 13, 2022

Hi My husband and I are looking at spending 4 weeks leisurely touring CR, from middle of January, and am enjoying this wonderful site. Two query’s perhaps you can advise.

Where are the best snorkelling areas? If we wanted a few nights with perhaps live music which city would be best?

Thank you Julie

October 1, 2022

Hi Julie, best snorkeling would be up in Gulf of Papagayo , Cano Island , Cahuita (during certain times of years) and around Flamingo. There isn’t really great snorkeling right off the beach, the best would be to take a boat to go out into snorkel spots Any big tourist town like Jaco , Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio has live music, bars, etc.

Amanda Abel says

August 11, 2022

Hi! We will have 10 nights (not including two nights in Alajuela for flights). We plan to do 4 nights in Tamarindo, 2 or 3 in La Fortuna and 1 day of rafting in the Pacuare. Where else should we go for 3 nights?

Hi Amanda, you can check our post for Best places in Costa Rica

But looking at your destinations and your in/out bound airport, I recommend Monteverde or another beach town like Playas del Coco

Tara M says

April 26, 2022

In the picture above, with the heading embedded ‘1 Month Itinerary’, where was that rafting/float picture taken? Thank you! Also, amazing site, thank you so much!

That was from the Pacuare River, the 1 day white water rafting trip class 3 & 4 (you can read more about it and and we also have a small discount for this tour One day Rio Pacuare white water rafting )

March 29, 2022

Hi! I’ll be travelling to CR for a total of 7 weeks (I will be working remotely, so hoping to see as much as I can while slowing down for work too). I’m looking to split my first 4 weeks up between La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, and Manuel Antonio. Would 10 days in each place be way too much time, or if you had to spend more time in one of them over the other, which would you recommend spending more time? After this I may head to Drake Bay, Monteverde, Samara and perhaps Playas del Coco..still deciding, but open to any recommendation in terms of how to split my time. Thank you!

April 12, 2022

10 days is a great amount of time to spend in each place to get to know it and not rush

Tina Snyder says

March 18, 2022

Hi there! We’re heading to CR for 11 days and at one point will leave from Tamarindo to stay in Arenal. Is it easier to drive north around the lake to get to Arenal or we could stop in Monteverde and then do the ferry across the lake. What would you recommend?

March 20, 2022

You can’t take the car on the ferry so you have to drive

Kyle Harris says

January 22, 2022

Me and my girlfriend have booked flights to liberia but we are extremely torn on itineraries as we only have 2 weeks and there’s so much of costa rica we would like to explore. We are mid 20’s and are aiming to find a mix of diverse wildlife, beautiful beaches and fun sports/adventure to pursue.

Is there any places you would advise?

Hello Kyle, I have a few two week itineraries on this page and also 10 days and 1 week that you can use to build off of

Claire says

February 2, 2022

Hi Kyle – we did a two week trip back in 2019. We stayed in the Rincon de la Vieja area for 3 nights (accommodation at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin) then we drove down to the Manuel Antonio area and really enjoyed seeing the national park and the beaches there. We had 6 days in that area. We went kayaking through the mangroves, went white water rafting, and enjoyed great seafood and warm hospitality. Finally, we spent a night or two in the Monteverde Cloud Forest (ziplining and walking through the forest). It was a great trip.

Elisabeth Bohlmann says

November 29, 2021

Hi! We (a couple in our 30’s) are currently on a 2.5 week vacation through this beautiful country. We did a few days in the Caribbean, Arenal, and now Guanacaste by Playa Grande (Flamingo, Conchal, etc). We’re debating where to spend our last 3-4 days before heading back ti San José. We had considered the area around Samara or Santa Teresa or go towards the Manuel Antonio Park. But could really consider anything to complement our trip. We love the beaches, unique nature spots, some adventure. We’re not surfers, we’re not that much into party/ nightlife. Would you rather recommend we go down to Santa Teresa, the MA park or would you have any other suggestion? Thank you so much in advance, your site is super helpful!

December 12, 2021

Both Santa Teresa and Manuel Antonio are very nice but they are very different as Santa Teresa is more “rural” and Manuel Antonio is more developed, you can check our posts to read more about them

November 8, 2021

Hi! We will be in La Fortuna from Nov 12-17. We were thinking of taking a 2 day trip to Monteverde. We have a 4×4 but we are inexperienced 4×4 drivers. I know the roads can be pretty bad, especially right now. Any advice on driving up there or just staying in La Fortuna?

I know there is a taxi-boat-taxi option, thanks to your page 🙂 but it also looks like we will need a car when in Monteverde to get to all the attractions?

Thank you in advance! Laura

November 10, 2021

You could do the taxi boat option and then there are buses to the reserves, lots of taxis around and the big parks like Selvatura offers their own transportation included in their passes.

Shannon Timpane says

July 29, 2021

The picture above of the rafting through the trees with the 1 month itinerary, where is that? Also, any suggestion for a quick overnight stay in San Jose after arrival but before hitting the road very early in a.m.? Thanks!

July 31, 2021

Hi Shannon, that was taken during our One day Rio Pacuare white water rafting and here are our recommendations for hotels near San Jose Airport

Kim Kimbro says

June 30, 2021

Hi Sammi! What a wealth of information, I’m so glad I found you! We are coming in September and are basically using tours to get around, and our last stop is in La Fortuna and we are flying out of San Jose. Do you have any suggestions as far as ANY tour that would get us transportation back to San Jose from La Fortuna? Taking a shuttle is a last resort, but definitely an option, but I’m really trying to see if we can get around without it 🙂 Thank you!!

July 2, 2021

The Pacuare rafting offers an interconnection between San Jose and La Fortuna and we offer a small discount for this tour which you can check here: https://mytanfeet.com/special-deals/rio-pacuare-costa-rica-white-water-rafting/

Wesley Quenichet says

June 21, 2021

Thanks for your help, it really made my trip easier. I stayed in Tamarindo and had a great time with my 20 year old son. Your trip suggestions and help booking were helpful, and I found the pricing to be a little cheaper through you guys. I drove over to Coco and Flamingo but just really fell in love with the beach and vibe of Tamarindo. We could have spent the whole week surfing and eating along the beach and it would have been fine, but the tours definitely gave us a good insight into what Costa Rica is all about. The tour guides, including Randall, were great. I saw you guys in Tamarindo in your Mytanfeet Truck, but didn’t have enough time at the moment to stop and say hello. Anyway, thanks very much!

June 27, 2021

Hi Wesley! Thank you for your comment and we’re so glad you had a good time with your son. It was our pleasure to help! Next time if you see us please feel free to say hi 🙂

January 31, 2021

Hi guys Love you blog. So much great information. We are going to be there in June for 12 days. We are staying on Flamingo beach the first 7 days and we hope that Nicaragua will open so that we can take the day trip you recommend into that country. What are your thoughts for the other 5 days? Volcano or Monteverde Thank you

February 2, 2021

Hi Doris, you can check our Things to do in Guanacaste post for ideas.

MYLENE LARDET says

December 24, 2020

Hello Yeison and Samantha, Thank you so much for your fantastic blog!!!! We’ll come for three weeks in July with our children of 5 and 7 years old. I don’t know CR at all but we are really looking forward to it! We are aware that it is the rainy season but we would like to try to avoid too much flooding… I’m following your blog closely! Could you please tell me what you think of the following schedule please? 1 night in San Jose La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park (1 or two nights?) Alfaro Ruiz then drive to La Fortuna (4 night) Another national park, but which one? : a) Tenorio (see the Rio Celeste, not too hard in summer / Tapir Valley Nature Reserve) b) Rincon de la Vieja? 4/5 days in the Nicoya peninsula? Does Samara allow easy travel from Montezuma to Tamarindo? Is it a good place to fall? Ferry in the morning to Tarcoles and then road to Manuel Antonio 4/5 days to Manuel Antonio (you have to cut and go 3 days + 2 days to Uvita to see the whales or go to Uvita as a day excursion?) Return to San Jose

Is there any other park you would advise during this period? Thank you very much in advance for your advice!!!

December 27, 2020

Hello, in La Fortuna you can visit the Arenal Volcano National Park and there are also many private reserves around like Arenal 1968 and Mistico Arenal hanging bridges .

Here is our guide to Samara, Costa Rica and our Manuel Antonio guide.

Abby W says

November 18, 2020

Hi! Your site is awesome! Packed with so much information that it’s almost making it harder to decide what to do and I’ve really left it to the last minute.

I’m arriving on 11/17 and I have nothing booked yet! I have 8 days in Costa Rica and it’s my first time. I’m traveling solo, I’m 40ish and I’d prefer to avoid the family loaded locations and not at all looking for a crazy party scene. Mostly want to spend time chillin’ on beautiful beaches with turquoise warm waves gently lapping at my feet.

I’m thinking 2-3 days at Tabocon (probably just 2 due to $$, this will be my hotel splurge, the rest have to cost under $150/night) Then 3 days in Manuel Antonio and then where should I spend the remaining 3? Maybe Samara? Or should I venture out to the Caribbean side and go to Puerto Viejo. I don’t want to waste too much time in cars/buses. I’m open to short flights.

November 19, 2020

You can check Uvita, Costa Rica , it doesn’t have turquoise water but it’s warm.

The Caribbean is really far and if you’re traveling by bus, you’d have to do MA – SJ – PV which is a full day of travel (like 10 hours on a bus) and so I’d recommend somewhere close like Uvita, there is a bus from Quepos to Uvita.

June 12, 2020

October is the best month for the Caribbean as it’s their “summer” month. Sept and Nov can be nice too there but October is the best month.

You can read more about Best time to visit Costa Rica here.

If you don’t want any rain in Guanacaste, then you should visit Dec – April.

Lisa Rosado says

Hi, Your info is fantastic, but I am so confused now as to when to come! I was trying to come third week of September for my 60th birthday. I really love to sit on the beach and take in the sun, although I love to venture out to see the land, animals, and environment- not a water sports couple. Everyone told me to go to Guanacaste but if it’s raining daily then the beach is out from what I gather. I thought you said the Caribbean side has less rain in September, but then I thought somewhere else you said it’s rainy? I love the Caribbean? Heard it’s more of a Jamaican feel? I want to come and eat all the tropical fruit that I can’t get in USA. Do you think to fit my needs November or December would be better? Ugh I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Lisa

Alicia says

March 4, 2020

Hi, Thanks for all the great content. My family is traveling to Costa Rica the last week in March and I just can’t decide on an itinerary. Any recommendations you have would be great. My first obstacle is that we arrive 3/23 on a red-eye at 6:30 am. What would you suggest that isn’t too far of a drive from SJO that would be too draining as we’ll be going on little sleep. And there’s also the issue of having to leave luggage in our rental vehicle until we are able to check-in. We have a total of 6 days leaving from SJO on the morning of the 29th so we will stay the night of the 28th by the airport. We’d like a combo of rain/cloud forest and relaxing beach time. Do you think that possible? If so what would you suggest route and stops would you suggest? Thanks sooo much

You could go to Jaco as it’s about 1.5 hours from San Jose and usually hotels are nice about letting you leave your luggage at the hotel before checking in and they can try to check you in a little earlier. You could do a couple nights at Jaco and then go to La Fortuna or Manuel Antonio National Park as Manuel Antonio has nice rainforest.

Angela says

February 17, 2020

My friend and I are planning a 11day trip! We are thinking of doing Arenal then Monteverde then a beach on the pacific coast. We are having a hard time deciding where to go! We are looking for beginner surfing, snorkelling, and not overly touristy. What would your suggestion be? Also we don’t plan on renting a car so will be taking shuttles & buses.

Thank you!!

February 18, 2020

Hi Angela, you can check our Guanacaste, Costa Rica guide for ideas for beaches on the Guanacaste coast. You can also check our destinations map and read guides to the other beaches on the Pacific coast: Costa Rica destination map

Hi, we are retired couple 60s , would like to have a 10 days (March) relax trip on the beach, light hiking, light adventure, more in beach, culture, food, scenery. Need to depart from San Jose, should we arrive to Liberia instead of San Jose? Does Adobe rent the car pickup at Liberia and return at San Jose ? Any suggestion for itinerary is very appreciated . Thank You very much

Hi Kim, you can pick up the car in Liberia and return at San Jose, but there is a $45 USD fee for this change of locations.

February 3, 2020

Looking for 10 days in CR in late Feb-early March… want to hit up SJ, La Fortuna, Monteverde, but torn between Manuel Antonio or Corcovado (or something else). A friend went and said that they were underimpressed with MA and I should go to Corcovado.

I plan to drive… but not sure if I’m overdoing it here. Also not sure whether I need a 4×4.

This is a loaded comment!

February 4, 2020

Corcovado is very far so you’ll need to plan accordingly to give yourself adequate time for travel. A 4×4/4wd is highly recommended for Monteverde and Osa Peninsula

Jessamyn C Trocio says

January 27, 2020

Two of us will be flying into San Jose Airport on March 17th. We are trying to do La Fortuna/Arenal, Monteverde, Carara or Jaca National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park….do you think this is possible in one week? Do you recommend staying at multiple accommodations? Thank you in advance.

February 1, 2020

It’ll be a bit tight for one week but doable. You could even visit Carara on your way from Monteverde – Jaco.

January 18, 2020

Hi Lisa! I’m working on this page because the links are broken. Here is the 1 month one

January 17, 2020

Hi! I am having trouble opening any of the itineraries. I am interested in the month long one. Is it possible you could send me a link? Enjoying all the info so much! Thank you, Lisa

January 16, 2020

Hello Mark, here is the link

(Sorry I need to re-do this page for some reason the links were not working!)

Mark Lipari says

We would like to know more about your suggested five days in Arenal and Monteverdi. For some reason we are not able to see all the information in your suggested itinerary. Not sure if it is an issue with the website or our computers (we have tried with an iPad and a laptop). Any information you can share would be appreciated. Thank you

September 4, 2019

Hi my wife and I are currently planning our honeymoon to Costa Rica. Adventures and beaches are the 2 priorities. Being in non toristy areas is preferred. We have high interest in checking out the osa peninsula. We are hoping for a 7-14 day trip and we will rent a car. Any advice for places to go?

September 5, 2019

You can check our Osa Peninsula Costa Rica advice.

February 28, 2019

Hi!, I love this blog! I am in the middle of planning a trip for my family ( adults) over Christmas.We are looking for the best experience, arriving on 12/22 and leaving 12/28. I didn’t know if it would be best to fly into Liberia and out of San Jose in order to get a variety of experiences? I feel overwhelmed! I would love suggestions from you. We would be at a mid price range, would like to be close to good restaurants. Can you help? Many thianks! Chris

March 4, 2019

Hi Chris! I’d definitely check out some of the itineraries in this post to give you some ideas of where to go and do. You can also read this post for best plaes: Best places in Costa Rica

November 29, 2018

Hi Hannah, my recommendation would be to stay somewhere in Guanacaste as your base so you will be at the beach, and then you can do a day trip to La Fortuna for volcano/rainforest and then up to Rio Celeste or Rincon de la Vieja for waterfalls and hikes. I wrote a sample itinerary here

Hannah says

November 28, 2018

My girlfriends and I are planning a 4 day Costa Rica trip from my bachelorette party. We want to do a short/easy hike, see the waterfalls, rainforest, volcano, beach, and also have down/relaxing time. We are not looking to party and are more interested in experiencing the outdoors (but nothing strenuous) and just relax. Any suggestions? We aren’t set on which part of the country to stay at and which airport since we want to see which area would make more sense first. This trip will be Mid April of next year.

Thank you so much! Hannah

April 9, 2018

Hello, Thank you so much for all the wonderful information you have provided! This will be my first international solo trip and I have spent hours reading your blog trying to plan my trip for May. Your sample itineraries have really helped me to narrow down my options. I will be in Tamarindo for 6 days for a surf camp, then I have another 10 days before I fly out of San Jose. I would like to split my time between Monteverde and La Fortuna. I am fairly active and adventurous so I’m looking forward to hiking, zip lining, canyoning, white water rafting, etc. My question is would it be worth me adding in another town/city during this time? I saw that there are day trip opportunities to Rio Celeste which I would love to do. Would it be worth me staying a day or 2 in Bijagua to maximize my chances of getting some good weather? Or is there somewhere else that is accessible without a car? I am hoping to not rent a car for the entire trip, but would be open to getting one for part of the trip if needed. Any insight you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

April 10, 2018

Hi Abbey, I’m glad the blog has been helpful!

You can do a day trip from La Fortuna to Rio Celeste which I recommend to do instead because getting to and from Bijagua is a bit tricky if you don’t have a car and for a solo traveler. There isn’t a bus that goes directly to Rio Celeste, all the shuttles and buses will drop you off in Bijagua and then you will need to take a taxi to the national park which is around $40 one way. There is a shuttle from Monteverde to Bijagua with Quality transfers but it requires 2 passengers minimum and there isn’t one from La Fortuna.

It’ll be a lot easier to do a day trip. There is a company called Arenalevergreen that provides daily shuttles and round trip transportation for $50 per person. This is a non guided hike – it only includes transportation so you will need to pay for the entrance fee, any food and water and the hike will be on your own. You can also do a tour which includes transportation, guide, lunch and entrance fees. We have a 10% discount with Jacamar Naturalist Tours in La Fortuna and we can check to see if there are any tours already running that you can join as a solo traveler. Just let us know if you would be interested.

April 8, 2018

Hi Marion, that’s a good itinerary and I would recommend taking shared shuttles for all your destinations because there aren’t direct buses to most of your routes (La Fortuna to Tamarindo requires 4 buses, Monteverde to PV requires 2, etc.) and shared shuttles will pick you up and drop you off directly at your hotel. They’re a bit more expensive but it’s the best way to save time and the hassle of switching buses (without renting a car).

For activities, we have a 10% discount with Jacamar Naturalist tours in La Fortuna for most of the tours in Arenal. You can check out the discount here: Arenal and La Fortuna tours discount and read what our favorite activities to do there are: Things to do in Arenal and La Fortuna

If you like adventure, I would definitely do the white water rafting trip at Rio Pacuare. This and canyoning are my two favorite outdoor activities and the Pacuare River is stunning with Class 3 and 4 (and 4+) rapids. You can read about it here: One day Rio Pacuare white water rafting and we have a $10 discount here: Rio Pacuare white water rafting discount . You can do this tour as an interconnection between Puerto Viejo to San Jose so the company we work with, Rios Tropicales will pick you up at Puerto Viejo, take you rafting and then drop you off at San Jose so you save money on a transfer and you can go rafting instead of sitting on a shuttle all day. It’s $105 per adult but we have a $10 discount and it includes breakfast, lunch, the rafting and the transfer so it’s a super great value!

Diamante is also really fun but there is no way to get there via public transportation. Diamante offers round trip transportation from Tamarindo for $30 per person and we also have a 10% discount with them you can read more here: Diamante discount and here is our post on Diamante: Diamante Eco Adventure Park But I think if you go ziplining in La Fortuna or Monteverde, you don’t necessarily need to go again in Diamante since for my personal opinion, the ziplines in La Fortuna and Montevede like Sky Trek, Selvatura and 100% Aventura are more fun. Diamante is great but their zipline is a bit short since they focus on having one long cable with an ocean view. The others take you through the rain and cloud forests. And you will most likely see a lot of wildlife in the destinations where you’re going so you can see animals in the wild as opposed to their zoo.

Your budget can be doable depending on what tours you do and what hotels you stay at. You’ll need to stay in pretty cheap places if you want to do tours since some tours are around $75-100 or more. For example, Diamante is $118 per person for the Adventure Pass (ziplining, animal sanctuary, botanical garden, beach) or $78 pp for the zipline (not including our 10% discount). Canyoning in La Fortuna is $101 per person, SkyTrek ziplining in Arenal is $81 per person. So tours will take up a good chunk of your budget but if you find some cheap places to stay and eat cheap, it is doable since you won’t be doing tours every day. You can read more about how much it costs to travel in Costa Rica here: Cost of traveling in Costa Rica

Thanks for reading Mytanfeet!

Marion Rogers says

Hello!, me and my boyfriend(20&29 yo) will be traveling to Costa Rica in late July and early August for 20 days. We love beaches and just chilling there, and we also like all kinds of activities! like raffting, canyoning, ziplining, parasailing, hiking, etc, Anything that gets our adrenaline kicking!

We have come up with a possible itinerary but we will like to hear your opinion as well!

Day 1-2: San Jose Day 2-5: 3 nights in Manuel Antonio(were we would like to parasail, go to the beaches and the NP) Day 5-10: 5 nights in La Fortuna ( this is were we ideally would be doing most of the adventure activities and visiting waterfalls and hot springs) Day 10-13: 3 nights in Tamarindo( we are planning on relaxing here and having fun!. I’m also interested in Diamante park because of their zipline, do you think it’s worth it to spend a day there? and it is possible to get there on public transportation? Day 13-15: 2 nights in Monteverde( to do maybe one fun activity and see the cloud forest(?) Day 15-19: 4 nights in Puerto Viejo( to enjoy the beaches that are in that area punta uva, cahuita NP) Day 19-20: San Jose

My questions are: Do you think this itinerary is doable? we will be depending mostly on public transportation and maybe some shared shuttles. Will you change something? add a place or omit some? Our budget is pretty restricted, around 100-150 usd per day for the both of us.( not counting the flights)

Dieter Rachal says

April 1, 2018

We will be flying into San Jose and stay for 9 days in Bejuco at the end of May. I hope we did not isolate ourselves too much from the best itineraries. We will have a car but again I don’t want to spend all of our time driving. Any suggestions? Oh yeah, I love your website, so much great information.

April 2, 2018

Hi Dieter, from Bejuco you’re close to Jaco, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita and all of the Central/South Pacific. Those will be your closest destinations and are all within a 20 minute – 2 hour drive.

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Seeking your advice on our 2week plan for Costa Rica in June - Costa Rica Forum

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Arrival in San Jose for an overnight stay

3 nights in Arenal La Fortuna

7 nights in Santa Teresa

4 nights in Uvita before returning to San Jose for a late flight

We're planning to rent a car to get around, but we're a tad worried that our destinations might be a bit ambitious. What do you think? Is our itinerary doable, or should we consider making some tweaks?

4 replies to this topic

If you want to experience more of the diversity that Costa Rica offers, you can add in a high elevation cloud forest spot, either San Gerardo de Dota or Monteverde . This is all contingent upon removing nights from Santa Teresa, and possibly one from Uvita , but you may have a good reason to stay on the Nicoya Peninsula for so long.

I would split the next 6 nights between Santa Teresa and Montezuma. Then when your ready take the Zuma tours water taxi from Montezuma to Jaco . This is when you get a rental car and drive the rest of the way. 1I added a day to the MA/ Uvita /Ojochal areas. You really do not need a car in ST or Monte. A quad for exploring maybe for a day. Just a thought

Just to be clear my itinerary uses shared shuttles to get to Fortuna. Then a domestic flight to Cobano. entire stay in Teresa/Montezuma without a car . taxis when needed. rent quads or SxS for exploring as a rental car is not gonna cut it. Then water taxi across to Herradura/ Jaco from Montezuma. This is where you will pick up a rental car for the last 5 days.

We typically rent cars for the duration of our trips for flexibility and convenience, but we have done what I am proposing on a couple occasions and it worked out very well. Obviously you can use a rental car the entire time if so desired.

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7 of the best all-inclusive experiences to book this year, from a travel planner

• As a travel planner, my clients seem to be increasingly interested in all-inclusive trips .
• Some of my favorite luxury resorts are in Costa Rica, the Maldives, and Isla Mujeres.
• Cruises, group tours, and adults-only lodgings can also come with all-inclusive options. 

As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels , I know vacations are expensive — especially if you're looking to go somewhere this summer . But all-inclusive travel is often a great way to get the most value out of a luxury experience.

I've been on several all-inclusive vacations with my family, friends, and work, and I've helped other people book them in destinations around the world .

Here are some of the best all-inclusive experiences I'm recommending to my clients this year.

Try a split-stay vacation to see the best of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is one of the most sought-after vacations , and for good reason. It's great for both relaxation and adventure.

I recommend booking a split stay, starting at an all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste near the beach for some fun in the sun and moving to a resort near the famous Arenal Volcano for a jungle adventure.

Some of my favorite resorts in Costa Rica are the Westin Reserva Conchal and the Dreams Las Mareas. And if you're looking for an even more unique experience, check out the glorious swim-out suites with private pools at Dreams.

Baglioni Maldives is one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts.

The Maldives, a remote set of islands in the Indian Ocean, offers a plethora of resort options for couples and families, but Baglioni Maldives is my favorite.

For many in the US, getting to the islands can be daunting — there are very few direct commercial flights, and it can take almost an entire day. But it's hard to beat the country's luxury accommodations and gorgeous landscape.

The Maldives also has some of the most beautiful marine life and coveted spots for snorkeling and scuba diving.

No matter where you go, overwater bungalows are the ultimate all-inclusive splurge.

Overwater bungalows — villas standing on poles over open ocean water — are prevalent at all-inclusive resorts in destinations like the Maldives, Fiji, and Bali.

But I've also come across the luxurious accommodations at select adults-only Sandals Resorts throughout the Caribbean.

I think having a private villa on the water is the perfect way to unwind and relax.

Adults-only vacations are on the rise.

Traveling with kids can be a blast, but I also think it's important for adults to take a much-needed break on their own.

Adults-only resorts have been a total respite for me and my husband after hectic months of juggling work with our kids' school and sports schedules.

If you're looking to unwind with a partner, relax on a girls' trip, or even connect with your adult children, there are countless adults-only, all-inclusive resorts to choose from, depending on where you're looking to visit.

Some properties, including Sandals and Beaches Resorts, also offer butler service. Designated staff members can help with anything from room requests and dining reservations to cabana rentals and transportation coordination.

I upgraded to the service at my favorite adults-only spot, Le Blanc Los Cabos, and I felt totally pampered.

Isla Mujeres is pure luxury.

Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancún, is known for its crystal-clear, turquoise water and peaceful vibe. It's also home to Playa Norte, one of the best beaches in Mexico .

Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort on the island. It offers luxury at its finest, but with only 125 rooms, it has a boutique feel.

One of my favorite features of the resort is the waterslide that leads right into the beautiful ocean.

There are plenty of all-inclusive packages at sea.

Cruising is one of the most popular vacations , whether it's an epic adventure on a Royal Caribbean Cruise, a couples-only journey on Virgin Voyages, or a regal tour of Europe on Viking River Cruises.

Although cruises aren't traditionally considered all-inclusive, with the right booking, they can have the same feel as a luxury resort.

Most cruise bookings include food, nonalcoholic drinks, and live entertainment. If you add beverage packages and excursions in advance, your trip should be fully paid for before you depart.

Book a small-group or private tour if you're looking for adventure.

Group travel is a great way to explore new places while soaking up culture and history.

Popular destinations include Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, and Alaska, and many travel companies take care of everything for you, essentially making it all-inclusive.

I like Adventures by Disney , which offers small-group travel all over the world facilitated by seasoned guides. All the trip details are taken care of, including experiences, food, lodging, and transportation.

Additionally, Kensington Tours offers luxury private travel where every facet of the trip is meticulously planned for you.

• Main content

Costa Rica Vacation: 4 Tips To Plan Your Trip

P eople like to go on trips because it provides relaxation. For them to spend their vacation stress-free, a lot of planning must be done.

Planning a trip allows you to be in control of what would happen on your trip. You can anticipate and prepare things when your trip is planned throughout.

By planning your trip, you can make the most out of your stay. You also want to make sure you can keep contact in the US, Simify & Sims Direct can make sure you safe in that department.

Planning also involves scouting for places to visit during your visit. When you plan, you can visit all the places you want as it allows you to allocate time for each place.

Planning the perfect Costa Rica vacation doesn’t have to be intimidating and overwhelming – if you know how to embrace the laid back “pura vida” energy that this Central American paradise is all about.

Whether you want to go for a wild beach getaway or explore the powerful rainforest, there’s something here for everyone!

Follow these four tips to ensure you are planning the ultimate Costa Rica vacation, pampering yourself while exploring one of the world’s most vibrant ecosystems, Pura Vida style.

Equip Yourself With Knowledge About the Place

The first step to planning is knowing the place you are going to.

Since you are going to Costa Rica, there might be a lot of questions in your mind. One of the questions that could pop into your mind is “Is Costa Rica safe to travel?”

Costa Rica is a safe place. It is the safest nation in Latin America. The Global Peace Index ranks Costa Rica in the 38th place as a safe city to travel to.

With this, you can be assured that the place you are visiting is safe. It also would not hurt to have some safety tips during your stay.

During your vacation in Costa Rica, be sure to keep the following in mind:

• Do not leave your valuables unattended.
• When you are out on a hike, be sure to keep the path. Sticking to the path lowers the chances of being lost.
• Be alert when using public transportation. You can be robbed if thieves observe that you are not alert.
• Do not wear items that can attract petty robbers.

Consider the Timing of Your Travel

Timing is important when you travel to Costa Rica. The timing of your travel would allow you to enjoy the place more.

For example, you would like to see certain places. You should know the right time to see it in person. Find out the best time to travel to Costa Rica with the following tips.

A trip to Costa Rica is wonderful all year round, but some months are better than others. The best time to visit depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.

December to April is the most popular time to travel as these are the dry months and have plenty of sunny days. This is considered the high season and the most expensive time to visit, so plan ahead and book accommodation or activities early.

May to November is considered low season and is the wettest time with frequent afternoon showers. Even so, these months still experience plenty of sunshine with some of the most spectacular views.

Late November and early December also bring back the dry season, which makes them a great time to visit.

No matter when you decide to go, you are sure to have an amazing time experiencing Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife, culture and natural beauty.

Choose Places That Can Accommodate the Activities That You Want to Do

Activities make travel more exciting. If you are a person who likes adventure, you can make your vacation to Costa Rica worthwhile. There are a lot of activities waiting for you to try in Costa Rica.

If you want to experience the sky and the nature of  Costa Rica, you should try sky adventures. Sky Adventures offers ziplining, Hanging Bridges, and Sky Trams.

They can be experienced in two places – La Fortuna and Santa Elena. You can opt to book accommodations in the said cities if you want to try sky adventures.

The sky adventure will offer you thrill and sightseeing at the same time. You can enjoy the view of Costa Rica as you walk along the hanging bridges and ride sky trams.

There are also activities for people who like water sports. You can try rafting in Costa Rica.

You can try rafting on the Pacuare River.

You can enjoy rafting to the fullest as you are assured that your safety is guaranteed with supportive staff and top-notch safety equipment.

Plan Your Transportation

Since you will be visiting different places during your stay, you need transportation. Smooth transportation would allow you to go to your destinations on time.

It will also be hassle-free for you if the transport system you chose is convenient for you. There are a lot of ways for you to go from one place to another in Costa Rica.

There are 12 ways you can travel in Costa Rica. There are things to consider in choosing the right transportation. You can also consider the distance and travel time when choosing.

The different transportation systems in Costa Rica are the following:

• Shuttle services
• Private transfer services
• You can rent a car
• Domestic flights
• Small boats and water taxis
• Charter flights
• Bikes, ATVs, and other rentals
• Walking and
• City-to-city inclusive tours

Since there is a wide variety to choose from, you just need to plan it out thoroughly. If you are going to nearby places, you can catch public buses or taxis.

You can also opt for walking if the place is within walking distance from your current location. Whatever you choose, just make sure that it would be the most convenient for you.

People usually do not like to stress themselves with transportation. You can encounter problems when you do your own transportation assignment.

For example, you may not know the road too well if you opt for a rental car. You may also encounter problems with schedules and route stops with public transportation.

If you booked a travel agency for Costa Rica, they would be the ones to handle it. They would be the ones to coordinate how you would be able to go from one place to another. The benefit here is that it is convenient and hassle free.

Costa Rica is an excellent choice for a vacation destination. With its breathtaking beaches, lush rainforest, active volcanoes, and vibrant culture, it has something to offer everyone.

Be it adventure or simple, plain relaxation, you'll find what you need in the Costa Rican paradise.

With its serious commitment to environmental protection, Costa Rica is taking great strides to preserve its natural beauty for generations to come.

A Costa Rica vacation is the perfect way to experience all that the beautiful country has to offer and to create memories for a lifetime for yourself and your family. 

So what are you waiting for, take the plunge and plan your next vacation to this little haven on earth!

The post Costa Rica Vacation: 4 Tips To Plan Your Trip appeared first on Kellys Thoughts On Things .

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Why costa rica farmers are going out of business, netflix spends $1.2m on security for costa rica filming, costa rica denies receiving asylum seekers from the uk, costa rica among nations targeted for uk’s asylum seeker deportation plan, costa rica’s single-use plastics ban takes effect.

The law that bans single-use plastics in Costa Rica comes into force on April 20th. This measure, approved in 2021, seeks to eliminate materials such as straws, plates, and cups that are quickly discarded. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that Costa Rica produces approximately 60 tons of waste of this material per day.

The law prohibits the commercialization and free delivery of single-use plastic straws throughout the country and prohibits the commercialization and free delivery of plastic bags to the final consumer in supermarkets and commercial establishments whose purpose is to carry goods to their final destination.

However, the prohibition of providing plastic bags will not apply to bags that can be reused and those that are small (45×60 cm), medium (52×68 cm), and biodegradable. The law also prohibits new acquisitions or purchases of single-use plastic articles by all public administration institutions, public companies, and municipalities.

The prohibition covers a wide range of items used for eating, such as disposable plates, cups, forks, knives, spoons, straws, and stirrers. Additionally, importers, producers, marketers, and distributors of single-use plastic bottles, or products packaged in such bottles, must meet specific requirements.

These include using a certain percentage of recycled resin, implementing effective waste recovery and recycling programs, participating in integrated waste management initiatives, developing products and packaging that minimize waste, and forming strategic partnerships with municipalities to improve waste collection and management systems.

Business owners stated that they were in a situation of uncertainty due to the lack of clarity in the rules and specifications of the new packaging required by law. They requested information on the technical specifications for replacing single-use plastics and stated that they are unaware of the technical regulations that must be issued in coordination with entities such as the Costa Rican Technical Standards Institute (INTECO) and the Costa Rican Accreditation Entity (ECA).

They also expressed concern about the lack of official information from the Ministry of Health on the requirements of the new packaging and the fear of being penalized or even losing their businesses for not complying with the regulations.

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